When Sir Richard Trehane retired as Chairman of the Milk Marketing Board in 1977, it was decided to mark his tremendous contribution to both the Board and to the dairy industry worldwide by launching a Trust, named after him, to provide awards for study of any aspect of the industry.

The Milk Marketing Board and the National Farmers' Union launched an appeal for funds and such was the regard in which Sir Richard was held, that nearly £80,000 was received. The original monies collected were invested and awards are made from the income which accrues. That fund has now grown through investments to £500,000, the income of which makes it possible to make up to three awards each year.

The Trust was registered as a charity, and is administered by ten trustees. The trustees, then as now, represent leaders of all sides of the dairy industry.

The Aims

The aims of the Trust are widely drawn in the context of "research and education into dairying" and include:

• Production and improvement in quality of milk;
• Breeding and management of dairy cows;
• Collection, delivery, processing and manufacture of milk into dairy and other products;
• The uses of milk and dairy products including the development of new ones;
• Improvement in sales and marketing of milk and milk products;
• Future changes to and developments in and related to the dairy industry;
• Education of the public into all aspects of the dairy industry;
• Any other studies which, in the discretion of the trustees, fall directly or indirectly within these parameters.

Award Winners

The first award was made in 1979 and since then more than 60 awards have been made. This has meant that the subjects studied have been as diverse as the benefit or otherwise to the dairy industry of UK entry into the EU, a study of the marketing of flavoured milks in Australia and the implications of healthy eating trends. The awards are made generally, but not exclusively, to those in the age range 24-45 normally resident in the UK. Subject to the agreement of the Trehane Trustees, the Reports written by the Award Winners are published and are made freely available. Copies are kept in the NFST library.

A special benefit which has arisen is the continuing contact of Trehane Scholars, not only with each other, but with the leaders of the industry. Each year award winners are invited by the trustees to a dinner to which industry guests are invited. The exchange of views on these occasions are invaluable to all those who attend.

The trustees wish to do all that is possible to give these young people encouragement and opportunity and to allow others to see the potential that is available to agriculture and allied industries from the next generation. Partly as a result of this many Scholars have gone on to hold high and important positions within the industry.

The evidence of the past 26 years has clearly demonstrated that the Trehane Trust has been successful and would look to the help of all for that to continue.

Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust

Such is the fine reputation of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust that, from the outset, Trehane awards have been made as special awards under the NFST banner, and thus award winners have the benefits not only of being Trehane Scholars but also Nuffield Scholars. Although Trehane Awards are generally handled under the NFST administration, they are not confined to the farming side of the dairy industry.