Leading Agricultural training provider, BASIS, has announced Paul Dovey as the winner of the first Paul Singleton Project of the Year Award at Cereals 2015.
Paul Dovey clinched the award for his project investigating the effects of seed treatments and varietal difference on farm-saved wheat seed from germination to emergence.*
The trial examined the effects of seed treatments and varietal differences on winter wheat farm-saved seed (FSS) from germination to emergence. Results were recorded at seven day intervals over a 28 day period and observations included the speed of emergence, germination percentage, root growth and seedling height.
The project concluded that FSS can be a cost effective and viable option provided that germination and seed-borne disease testing is conducted, and that the grain meets the industry recognised thresholds and standards.
Paul Dovey’s training was organised by Hampshire Training Providers run by Jenny Lewis, the lead trainer for the course was Julian Lewis of Octopus Agronomy Training.
The Paul Singleton Project of the Year Award was introduced in autumn 2014 to recognise the outstanding input that many candidates apply to their project, which is a fundamental element of the Certificate in Crop Protection. The project requires significant crop protection content, personal practical involvement and original research.
Paul Dovey’s project was selected from the top five scoring projects and judged by a panel of BASIS exam chairmen following second marking and moderation.
Paul has been in the farming industry for over thirty years. He started his career as an apprentice, studying a National Certificate in Agriculture (NCA) before completing a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Organic Agriculture. He then went on to manage farms in Switzerland, Middlesex and Kent. Currently, Paul works at Lake House Estate, where he manages the farm for the popstar Sting and Trudie Styler.
Speaking of receiving the award, Paul said: “Although my background is mainly in the organic sector, passing the FACTS and BASIS Crop Protection course has now given me a wider range of skills, knowledge and experience that I believe is now needed to manage farms in a sustainable way, both environmentally and financially.
“The BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection course is intense, with a vast amount of information to be retained and processed. The project formed a large part of the work required to pass the course, and I thoroughly enjoyed doing the research and trials necessary to complete it, even though it was hard work! It was great news to hear that I passed but to receive recognition for my project is both unexpected and greatly appreciated.”
Paul added: “I am now greatly looking forward to the next chapter in my farming career where I will be taking up the position of Farm and Estate Manager at a 440ha private farming estate in Bruton, Somerset.”
Stephen Jacob, BASIS Business Development Manager, says: “We have seen some spectacular projects over the years, with candidates going to a lot of effort to demonstrate their understanding of a particular subject. We felt it was only right to celebrate their achievements, and Paul Dovey is a very worthy recipient of the new award.”
The award has been named the Paul Singleton Project of the Year Award in gratitude and appreciation of the work and commitment that Paul Singleton has made to BASIS over the years. During his many years at BASIS, Paul led the organisation as Managing Director, as an Exam Chairman, as a Member of the Education and Training Committee and in a number of Amenity roles including development of the Amenity Assured Standard, and Chairman of the Amenity Forum Education and Skills Committee. Paul continues to offer his valuable advice and support to the management team, as and when required.
