A POSTGRADUATE student from Cornwall has received a national award so he can study his masters degree. 

NFU Mutual has chosen three postgraduate agricultural students to receive a Centenary Award bursary from the organisations charitable trust. 

The award was launched by the rural insurer to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010 and provides annual bursaries to pay up to 75% of course fees for selected postgraduate students in agriculture. To date, 52 people have received the award. 

Recipient Peter Reis, from Cornwall, is set to study a MSc in Ruminant Nutrition at Harper Adams University. He works as a full time ruminant nutritionist at Mole Valley Feed Solutions. 

“I have a real passion to learn about and pioneer new feeding techniques to increase the efficiency of dairy, beef and sheep farms in the region, whilst also decreasing the carbon footprint of the industry," Peter said. 

"My goal is to become a leader in nutrition within Cornwall and Devon, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to enhance my knowledge.”

The other two students to receive bursaries were Megan Phillips from Herefordshire and Ludo de Fable from Norfolk. 

Megan is going to study an MSc in Sustainable and Efficient Food Production at Aberystwyth University. 

Megan said: “I’ve always been interested in animal genetics and red meat production to help farmers across the UK. The teaching of this Master’s degree is allowing me to see the financial and physical positives of experimental ideas which brings both farmers’ opinions and business knowledge into the equation.”

Ludo is planning to study an MPhil in Crop Sciences at the University of Cambridge. 

“My studies include an investigation into gas exchange plants, and how the air spaces in leaves develop, with a view to improving water-use efficiency,” he added. 

The award is to support agricultural leaders of the future and to champion research and innovation within the industry. 

Jim McLaren MBE, NFU Mutual chairman, announced the award's recipients. He said: “Our Centenary Award bursary scheme aims to champion research and innovation for the UK agricultural industry, whilst also supporting passionate individuals to advance their careers.

"We are delighted to be supporting Megan, Peter and Ludo with our Centenary Award bursaries, and wish them all the very best for their postgraduate courses.”