Perthshire welcomes farm events Host of activities for young farmers

Perthshire will play host to a landmark weekend in the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs’ calendar.

The group is to hold a competitions weekend locally from February 24-26.

Hundreds of agriculture enthusiasts will take part in annual quiz, carpet bowls, dance and other events at Perth Racecourse.

This will be complemented by football, another quiz and speechmaking at the Fair City’s North Inch Community Campus.

In addition, a dance at iconic local nightspot, The Ice Factory, on the Saturday night will see the winner of the Member of the Year contest announced.

Further afield, a farm visit organised by the SAYFC’s agri and rural affairs committee to Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie – by kind permission of Peter, Pat and Murray Alexander – will be on offer on February 25, designed to provide an opportunity to hear and see one of Scotland’s renowned commercial beef and sheep units. A free bus from Perth has been laid on by organisers, available on a first-come, first-served, basis by booking with SAYFC.

International travel will feature throughout the weekend, with interviews taking place to select 53 members to take part in short and long-haul trips via the associations own international programme. This includes the introduction of three new group experiences for this year – including a trip to China, a summit and Calgary Stampede in Canada and sailing from Portsmouth to France.

Ahead of the weekend, the SAYFC has announced a new partnership with NFU Mutual.

The group’s national chairman, Stuart Jamieson, declared: “We are very excited about this new partnership with NFU Mutual and look forward to welcoming them to Perth.

“The weekend is a great opportunity to bring together members from right across Scotland as they compete, socialise, learn and make new friends.

“Whether members take part in a competition, attend the farm visit or join us for one or both of the dances, the weekend is always a highlight in our annual calendar.”

NFU Mututal’s Alice Connor commented: “NFU Mutual is delighted to be working with the SAYFC and are a proud sponsor of the 2017 February competition weekend.

“Farming in the UK is at the heart of our business and NFU Mutual has career paths for SAYFC members who want to work closely with the agricultural and rural community.”