Gordon Davidson
AMID THE doom and gloom of poor market prices and the upheavals of Common Agricultural Policy reform, Scotland’s annual farm business event AgriScot has reaffirmed its positive outlook on the industry by announcing the four finalists of the first ever Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year award.
In recent years, the Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year and Scotch Beef Farm of the Year awards have gained widespread recognition amongst Scotland’s farmers, prompting AgriScot’s directors to take the next step and extend their search for top performers to the sheep sector. As a result, back in May, entries for their inaugural Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year competition were opened.
“We are absolutely delighted with the quality of the entries that we received,” said AgriScot chairman Andrew Moir. “Our Sheep Farm of the Year Award is about promoting positivity in the sector, showcasing and celebrating how farmers make the most of their farming systems.
“The finalists, selected by our panel of three independent judges, have put real effort into telling us their story and showing how what they do on farm is ensuring their sheep enterprise has solid credentials.”
In alphabetical order, the finalist farms are:
? Armadale, in Sutherland, where 780 North Country Cheviot ewes are farmed by Joyce Campbell;
? Bowhill, in Selkirkshire, where 3200 Blackface and 1300 upland ewes are managed by Sion Williams;
? Swinside Townfoot, in Roxburghshire, where 1000 Cheviot ewes are farmed by Peter Hedley.
? Tardoes, in East Ayrshire, where 1300 Herdwick and 1700 Welsh Mountain sheep are farmed by David Cooper.
Each of the four farms will now receive a visit from the award judges, in order to help them decide which farm will be declared Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year at AgriScot on November 18, at Ingliston, outside Edinburgh.
Taking on that judging task are Richard Blake, representing award sponsors, Thorntons Solicitors; award winning sheep farmer John Scott; and respected industry advisor Rhidian Jones of SRUC.
Mr Blake summed up the responsibility that he and his fellow judges now face: “All three of us really look forward to the challenge ahead, although with some trepidation when it comes to the decision making process!
“We have planned a three day itinerary for the visits, which should ensure we have enough time to spend on farm with each of the finalists. Their entry forms have given us a real flavour of what they do, now it is time to see for ourselves on the ground.
“John and Rhidian are the guys who really know what is what in terms of sheep systems and facts and figures,” added Mr Blake. “But I am proud to represent Thorntons on the panel and I am sure my arbitration skills will be useful in helping them to reach consensus.”
For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
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