Ryan Dakin has been appointed as the new chair of the Poultry Industry Programme.
Ryan is a first-generation free-range egg producer from the north of England, having converted the family dairy farm following his completion of a Degree in Agriculture and Business Management at Reaseheath College in 2020.
A participant on the 2022/23 PIP (Poultry Industry Programme), he has gone on to represent the NFU at both regional and national level as a member of the North Poultry Board and National Poultry Board.
Last year, he was named BFREPA (British Free Range Egg Producers Association) Young Producer of the Year and was a finalist for the Farmers Weekly Poultry Farmer of the Year award.
Ryan Dakin said: “I owe a lot to the PIP, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without it,” he said. “It really opened my eyes and extended my knowledge – it taught me that there’s a lot more to the sector than you might think.
“Everything I’ve gone on and done with the NFU and beyond – it all started there.
“It’s really important to me that the next generation has the same positive experience that I did, no matter their background.
“Whether you’ve been in poultry your whole life, or whether you’re relatively new to it, like I was – I’d urge people to apply.
“Hopefully my experience and the things I’ve been able to get involved with post-PIP will show the next cohort what’s possible through the programme if you really get stuck in.
“I’m looking forward to reminding them to embrace it all with eyes, ears and arms open. It’s an incredible opportunity, and you need to make the most of it – you won’t get to do it again!”