As part of our regular series of profiles on the region's Young Farmers' Club (YFC) members, farm worker DAVID LONG explains his career progression hopes within a major poultry firm.

I started working at the Hook2Sisters poultry site 23 months ago as part of a sandwich year placement from Harper Adams University, which I have recently graduated with a degree in agriculture with animal science.

At this time of year we are getting ready to receive poults in time for Christmas. The variety of jobs is endless because jobs change daily when working with livestock.

This week I have been monitoring the loading of move-on stags, which move from my farm onto another so we can maximise shed capacities. This allows us to bring in more turkeys so we can have a larger turnover and, ultimately, a higher level of productivity.

I love working in farming as I have grown up on farms and enjoy the flexibility you can have. As I have always lived on a working farm, going into a career in agriculture was a natural progression for me. Going to Harper Adams was a great opportunity as the practical 12-month placement gives you the experience of putting what you have learnt at university into practice.

In five years, I would like to work my way up through the company to achieve the highest possible position. As I started at the bottom on the 12-month placement I was taught a variety of different roles and responsibilities. I felt that I learned a lot, and I also enjoyed my time with the company – so much so that I applied to be a part of the graduate scheme, which I started last September. It's good to work with a company which is serious about investing in the future farm workers of tomorrow.

Young farmers have allowed me to gain experience in many new things. Some I enjoy, like stock judging. Some not so much, like flower arranging.

I joined Wymondham Young Farmers in 2014 while living in Norfolk on the placement scheme, and really enjoyed my time with the club.

When I returned to Norfolk last year I immediately reconnected with club members and re-joined the club. At the club AGM in October I stepped up and took on the role of vice chairman and treasurer.

I feel like we have had a very successful year as a club in both competitions and charity fundraising. I myself in stock judging have been very successful and I am due to compete at the national level for Young Farmers in the coming weeks.

PROFILE:

Name: David Long

Age: 23

Occupation: Poultry farm worker

YFC Club: Wymondham

How long have you been a YFC Member?:12 years

Wymondham YFC meets at Lime Tree Avenue Community Centre on Monday evenings. For more details contact the county office on 01603 731307.