Boost the Roost created by Rebecca Tonks at Ventonwyn Farm are the UK’s first free range eggs with extra selenium.

Rebecca Tonk

The CornishGuardian reports that the project has earned her the UK’s young poultry person of the year award at the Egg and Poultry Industry Conference.

She took up the reins of the family egg business ten years ago and has doubled turnover, staff numbers and provided sustainability and security to three other family farms who are suppliers.

The award recognised the innovation and drive Boost the Roost.

Selenium plays an incredibly wide-ranging role in dietary health, such as helping in the production of thyroid hormone, boosting the immune system with its high levels of antioxidants and contributing to fertility.

Many adults do not get enough intake and so Rebecca thought that by feeding the hens a natural selenium supplement, she could create a product that could help address this shortfall.

She worked with an organic selenium supplier, Alltech to produce an egg that contains well over 40 per cent of the UK RDA for selenium for adults.

Asda, Tesco and local independent stores now stock the eggs.

Her father Richard said: "We have all been surprised and delighted at this wonderful recognition of all the hard work that goes on at Ventonwyn Farm.

"My wife Christine and I are enormously proud of Rebecca’s achievements, bringing new ideas and drive to the business and securing the farm’s future for another generation."

Other awards this year include farm business of the year and best woman in farming at the Cornwall Farm Business Awards, highly commended, brand identity at the Pig and Poultry Marketing Awards, finalist in the poultry farmer of the year, Farmers Weekly Awards, gold award for Boost the Roost eggs at Taste of the West Product Awards and finalist of the South West producer of the year at Taste of the West Awards.