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Sir John Hammond Award

The Sir John Hammond Award is open for applications until 1st March 2025

One of the sector's most prestigious awards, it is awarded to those who have made significant contributions and positive impacts in the UK and RoI animal science and agricultural sector. 

 

To learn more about the award click here (downloadable leaflet).

What is the Application Process?

The award is highly selective and nominated candidates must be of high merit.

This award is based on nominations, please note that self-nominations will not be considered. A nomination needs to be supported/submitted by two members of BSAS or BCBC.

Please submit your nomination online using the apply now link below or download complete and return the nomination form.

What is the Prize?

£500

 

Who was Sir John Hammond?

Sir John Hammond arrived at Downing as an undergraduate in 1907 and for most of his career was a Fellow of the College. He also headed the School of Physiology of Animal Reproduction of the University of Cambridge and was a founder of the Cambridge Animal Research Station.

Hammond conducted classical studies on embryo survival in the early 1920s. His famous study Rate of Intra-uterine Growth (1938) showed that crossbred foetal foals grew at the rate of their dams' pure breed. He was the first to crystallise the theory of metabolic rate-dependent prioritising of nutrient partitioning between tissues. He was also the first to report the duration of oestrus for lactating cows (19.3 hours) and heifers (16.1 hours). He studied closely the major changes in animal shape resulting from the domestication and selective breeding of farm animals.

With Arthur Walton, Hammond was one of the pioneers of artificial insemination ('AI'). As he could not practice certain AI techniques in England, because of religious and cultural taboos, Hammond sponsored work in other countries where such limitations did not apply. He sent a colleague, Dr Luis Thomasset, to Russia to work on AI with the Soviets. He himself introduced AI to other countries, such as Argentina. His book The Artificial Insemination of Cattle (1947) was the first comprehensive publication on AI published in England.

Hammond was the first President of BSAS (1944-1945) and founded the British Cattle Breeders Club in 1946 and was an active member in the early days of the European Association for Animal Production, serving on its Preparatory Committee. He ended his life as the guru of the British livestock world and is widely regarded as the father of modern animal physiology.

Many thanks to the Royal Smithfield Club for the donation of the trophy for the Sir John Hammond Award. 

Previous Recipients

  • 2024: Tianhai Yan

    In recognition of your achievements from not only academic and research perspectives but the translation of your work into standard industry practice in, as well as government policy for, the UK dairy and beef cattle industries. Your work is renowned, acknowledged and cited both in the UK and internationally.

  • 2023: Sharon Huws

    In recognition of her leading research on sustainably improving livestock production, whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions, alongside understanding the role that livestock play in the spread of antimicrobial resistance and developing potential solutions to combat this increasing challenge. 

  • 2022: Phil Garnsworthy

    In recognition of extensive research and invaluable contribution to the field of animal production to optimise resource use and profitability of animal production systems, while reducing their environmental impact.

  • 2021: Judith Capper BSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal science through modelling the sustainability of livestock production systems, specifically dairy and beef and in the dissemination of science based information supporting the sustainability of livestock farming.

  • 2020:

    Not awarded

  • 2019: Kevin J Shingfield B.Sc, PhD

    (posthumous award)
    In recognition of a world leader in ruminant lipid metabolism, an inspired thinker and driver for a greater understanding of the link between rumen microbiology, ruminant genomics and metabolism and their impact on environmental pollutants and product quality.

  • 2018: David Kenny B Agr.Sc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to an improved understanding of how nutrition affects the complex underlying biology regulating economically important traits in cattle, including feed efficiency, rumen methane emissions and male and female reproduction. 

  • 2017: Elizabeth Magowan B.Sc., B Agr., PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to the development of sustainable pig production systems through delivery of applied research programmes, undertaken in partnership with the agricultural industry.

  • 2016: John O’Doherty B.Agr.Sc (Hons), M.Agr.Sc, PhD, DSc

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal science in addressing a variety of nutritional strategies on improving the efficiency and cost of pig production worldwide in the face of numerous challenges associated with increasing health and environmental legislation and feed costs.

  • 2015: Michael R F Lee BSc (Hons), PhD, RAnimalSci, PGCTHE

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal science by improving the understanding of the impact of forage traits on rumen fermentation, the efficiency of ruminant production and for contributing towards global sustainable livestock production.

  • 2014: Eileen Wall BAgrSc, MAgrSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal science through enhancing knowledge of the genetics of fitness and efficiency traits and the development of integrative animal sciences.

  • 2013: Donagh Berry BAgrSc, MSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal science through the development of close-to-implementation, state-of the-art genetic and genomic tools for use in next-generation animal breeding and production.

  • 2012: Timothy W J Keady BAgrSc, PhD, DipComm

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal science through research on forage production, conservation and utilization, applied nutrition, and product quality for dairy, beef and sheep systems, allied with your energy and commitment to technology transfer.

  • 2011: Liam A Sinclair BSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to research in applied ruminant nutrition particularly on forages for dairy cows, milk and meat quality and your excellent ability to communicate research findings to students, advisors and farmers.

  • 2010: Melissa D Royal, BSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution in disseminating knowledge within teaching, industry and the science community and expertise in dairy cattle fertility.

  • 2009: Stephen C Bishop BAgr Sci, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to research in animal disease genetics, particularly to understanding genetic resistance of ruminants to nematode parasites and to exploring opportunities to breed animals for enhanced disease resistance by combining genetic and epidemiological approaches.

  • 2008: Richard J Dewhurst MA, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to research in rumen function and dairy nutrition, particularly in understanding nutrient utilisation and milk quality effects in high-forage systems, as well as  promotion of cross-disciplinary and non-invasive approaches to these questions.

  • 2007: Nigel D Scollan BSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to research in Animal Science, particularly on the development of concepts in relation to environmental impact and product quality of pastoral beef farming systems and influence on the future agenda of sustainable animal agriculture.

  • 2006: Alistair Carson BAgr, PhD, ARAgS

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to the development of sustainable sheep and dairy heifer rearing systems through underpinning applied research programmes, undertaken in partnership with the agricultural industry.

  • 2005: Kevin Sinclair BSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to the efficiency of ruminant reproduction through molecular and cellular experimental approaches and whole animal studies, and your ability to communicate the findings to scientists and farmers.

  • 2004: John Woolliams, MA, Dip Math Stat, DSc

    For outstanding contribution to the development of both theoretical and practical applications in the fields of animal breeding and the conservation of genetic resources.

  • 2003: Iain Wright BSc, PhD

    For outstanding contribution to research in Animal Science, particularly on the nutrition and reproductive biology of beef suckler cows, and to the development of grazing systems for beef cattle.

  • 2002: Ilias Kyriazakis B Vet Med, MSc, PhD, MRCVS

    For outstanding contribution to research in Animal Science, particularly the development of new theories of food intake and of relationships between food consumption and performance, nutrition and health, across farm animal species.  These have generated new models of food intake, diet selection and growth which have relevance, both for the development of biological understanding and for the livestock industries.

  • 2001: Christopher Simon Haley BSc, PhD

    In recognition of contribution to research in animal genetics, particularly genomic analysis and the identification of genes controlling commercially important traits in pigs. Also outstanding ability to communicate genetic principles to the animal science community.

  • 2000: Christopher Reynolds BSc, PhD

    For outstanding contribution to the understanding of nutrient metabolism in growing and lactating ruminants, and your  commitment to the application of these findings to the livestock industry.

  • 1999:

    Not Awarded

  • 1998: Ian Wilmut BSc, PhD

    For outstanding contribution to developments in reproductive biology, notably the nuclear transfer technique, and  to their application in agriculture and biotechnology,

  • 1997: Geoff Simm BSc, PhD

    For outstanding contribution to the science and practice of genetic improvement for both sheep and cattle, and your exceptional skills of leadership and communication, applied with unstinting commitment to benefit ruminant livestock production.

  • 1996: C Sinclair Mayne B Agr, PhD

    For outstanding contribution to animal science, particularly your research into improving grassland utilization under grazing and conservation, with particular reference to dairy cow nutrition and production, and rule in transferring these advances to industry and the farmer.

  • 1995: Janice I Harland BSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal science, in particular your contribution to the knowledge and utilisation of fibre by ruminants and pigs,  role in driving forward technological advancement in the feed industry, and work in furthering the understanding of animal science to the wider audience.

  • 1994: Cledwyn Thomas BSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal production science, particularly your research on improving milk and meat production with forage based diets, and innate ability to stimulate interaction between policy makers, research scientists, farmers and those involved in commerce.

  • 1993: Will Haresign BSc, PhD

    In recognition of outstanding contribution to animal production, particularly research into the control of reproduction in sheep, your training of students and extensive editorial work in various areas of animal science.

  • 1992: Margaret Gill
  • 1991: Jeff D Wood
  • 1990: John D Oldham
  • 1989: A John Webb
  • 1987: E Robertson Orskov
  • 1986: A John F Webster
  • 1985:

    Not Awarded

  • 1984: John J Robinson
  • 1983: Colin T Whittemore
  • 1982: R B Land
  • 1981: J Hodgson
  • 1980: J B Owen
  • 1979: P J Broadbent
  • 1978: W H Broster & I McDonald
  • 1977: G E Lamming
  • 1976: T R Preston
  • 1975:

    Not awarded

  • 1974:

    Not awarded

  • 1973: F W H Elsley
  • 1972:

    Not awarded

  • 1971: E J C Polge
  • 1970: St C S Taylor
  • 1969:

    Not awarded

  • 1968: D G Armstrong