Call to Beef Industry: "Nominate, Enter and Don't be Shy!"

Despite the dreich weather, Scotland’s summer show season is in full swing and farms up and down the country are celebrating success in the show ring. 

Organisers of the Scotch Beef Farm of the Year award are now calling to farmers to take the step in showcasing their stock and their enterprises by entering the 2015 award.

Suppliers and others in the industry are also being asked to bring forward nominations.

The Scotch Beef Farm of the Year award, which is organised by AgriScot and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), sets out each year to find, and reward, a farm which exemplifies the best in beef cattle production. New prizes are being introduced for the winner and finalists in the 2015 award.

Wedderlie, at Westruther in Berwickshire, which is farmed by Wanda Hobbs and her parents John and Marion Tilson was awarded the accolade in 2014.

Andrew Moir, AgriScot Chairman is encouraging other farmers to enter for this year:

“Wanda and her parents expressed surprise when they won the Scotch Beef Farm of the Year title in 2014 at AgriScot 2014.

“I believe they felt that their emphasis on the production of pedigree breeding stock would mean that they would struggle to stand out against other entries whose focus was on prime cattle production.”

“Their worries were obviously unfounded and they were well deserved winners, illustrating that this award is open to all farms in the Scotch Beef supply chain, from store calf producers to pedigree herds, show winners to extensive hill graziers and intensive finishing units.”

Jim McLaren, Chairman of QMS added:

"QMS is delighted to continue its support of this award, which is a fantastic platform to champion the excellent stock management skills in our industry. Importantly, it also helps to raise the profile of the commitment and passion of the cattle farmers in Scotland who work hard to produce top-quality Scotch beef.”

Andrew Moir stressed that the organisers were keen to get the ball rolling. He commented:

At this stage we are calling for nominations and expressions of interest, with award entry forms being sent out later. This is therefore a great time for the supply industry and others to nominate valued customers that they think are deserving of recognition of this award, or our Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year Award.”

“All we require at this stage is an email to enquiries@agriscot.co.uk and we can take it from there.”

“Our Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year Award has an automatic entry process for all milk recorded farms. With Beef Farm and Sheep Farm we need nominations and entries – I would simply say to farmers and others, don’t be shy, you deserve this recognition!”