At Pickstock, we’re proud to play our part in the McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer (PYF) scheme, a unique programme that gives the next generation of farmers and food producers hands-on experience across the beef supply chain. Over the past year, Herbert has been part of our team, spending time both at Brongain Farm and in our Telford facility, as well as with OSI. In this blog, he reflects on his journey, what he’s learnt and the highlights of his time with us.
“As my time as the McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer comes to an end, I’ve had the chance to reflect on an incredible year with Pickstock and OSI. Coming from a dairy background, I had very little experience in beef, I’m not sure a freemartin really counts! But I was welcomed straight in and able to learn quickly.
At Brongain Farm, I saw first-hand the drive to maximise efficiency and productivity with the ambitious goal of producing carbon-neutral beef by 2030, a full decade ahead of the industry standard. Through a focus on forage quality and herd health, the team are proving that a sustainable, viable beef system is possible. The attention to detail in giving calves the best possible start was inspiring.
At the state-of-the-art processing facility in Telford, I was struck by the scale of the operation and enjoyed getting stuck in on the factory floor. I learnt so much, from carcass breakdowns to customer specifications, but what impressed me most was how much happens behind the scenes to ensure food safety, traceability and quality remain at the core of everything Pickstock does. I’ve grown a huge amount both professionally and personally, and I’ll never look at a steak the same way again!”
As Herbert step aside, we’re delighted to welcome Efa, the new Progressive Young Farmer.
“I was drawn to the placement for its reputation of offering hands-on experience across the full supply chain, and the chance to work with industry leaders committed to sustainability and innovation. I’m particularly looking forward to learning more about the beef supply chain with Pickstock, especially how they balance high welfare standards with large-scale production. Gaining practical on-farm experience and a deeper understanding of what goes into producing quality beef for McDonald’s is something I’m really excited about.”
We wish Efa every success in her year ahead and look forward to sharing her journey as she builds on the legacy of the programme.
