The farming sector needs to encourage more female participation in the industry and promote the significant role of women already working in agriculture. Those were the key messages at yesterday's "Women in Agriculture" event hosted by Scotland's Rural College at the Royal Highland Show.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, Fergus Ewing, kicked off proceedings by launching plans for Scottish Government research into women working in farming industries.
Addressing a packed audience comprising mostly women, he said: "We have commissioned this research to identify the challenges and come up with policy initiatives to improve womens' participation in farming. In particular the contribution women make to agriculture in Scotland and the wider rural economy, which is not always visible."
Professor Sally Shortall, Professor of Sociology at Queens University in Belfast has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to carry out the research, assisted by colleagues at the James Hutton Institute.
Professor Shortall explained: "While we will focus on identifying the issues and producing actual policy recommendations to help improve the situation - the study is not anti-men or about positive discrimination. It is about improving the efficiency and economic viability of the farm and farming."
Many of the other speakers echoed that message, that women in the sector were not interested in special treatment, merely for their skills and experience to be recognised and put to good use supporting the industry.
Gemma Thomson, Legal and Technical Policy Manager at NFU Scotland, said : "Promoting women in agriculture is not a new thing, but it is now building into a positive force. What we don't want is positive discrimination however. That would be negative - but agriculture needs to be much better at promoting itself as a real career choice for females."
In recent months NFUS has been increasing its work to encourage more women to get involved in union activity and agriculture on a wider scale. As well as attending recent Women in Agriculture events in Scotland, NFUS has also participated in the working group of stakeholders behind these ground-breaking meetings.
Show results
Sheep
Blackface: Champion (C) JR MacGregor (Dyke Ltd); Reserve (R) Stuart Heads.
Berrichon: (C) Ewan Burgess; (R) Iain D Johnston.
Charollais: (C) & (R) William & Carole Ingram, Inverurie.
Hebridean: (C) Donald MacLeod, Western Isles; (R) J&M Cuthbert, Kinross.
Bleu du Maine: (C)&(R) Percy Tait.
Texel: (C) Clark Farms, Carluke; (R) Proctors Farm Ltd, Way.
Hampshire: (C)&(R) Richard Brand & Sons, North Berwick.
Swaledale: (C) SA Black, Appleby; (R) Messrs Brogden.
Bluefaced Leicester - Traditional type: (C) RA McClymont & Son, Selkirk; (R) Messrs M&C Drummond, Maybole.
Zwartbles: (C) Mr Ally Baird, Callander; (R) Raymond J Heigh, Bentham.
Beef cattle
Aberdeen Angus: (C) Donald Rankin, Duntulm; (R) Gordon R Brooke, Earlston.
Galloway: (C) Messrs J Finlay, Blackcraig; (R) Troloss Farms, by Biggar.
Belted Galloway: (C) Mrs AF Bell; (R) Mrs Carolyn S Fletcher, Appleby-in-Westmorland.
Hereford: (C) TD&WT Livesey, Packington; (R) JM Cant & Partners.
British Blue: (C) Sam Martin, Newtownards; (R) Mr JK Manson, Wick.
Commercial cattle: (C) JCB Commercials, Newtownards; (R) Jack Smyth, Newton Stewart.
Dairy cattle
British Red & White: (C) A&S Lawrie, Kinross; (R) Michael Howie, Morpeth.
Ayrshire: (C) Messrs DC Sanderson; (R) A&S Lawrie.
Jersey: (C) CJ Henning & K Agnew. Messrs Fleming Family, Downpatrick; (R) Izzy Wright, West Linton.
Market round-up
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 1971 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £108 per head and 232p per kg to average 202.7p (+15.1p on the week), while 915 prime hoggs peaked at £94 and 158p to level at 136p (-6p).
The firm also had 3201 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £146 for Texels and averaged £79.57 (+£4.75), while light ewes peaked at £77 for Blackfaces and levelled at £49.90 (-36p). Rams sold to £141 for a Texel and averaged £88.84.
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