Future agricultural shows are in good hands – thanks to our young farmers

Younger enthusiasts are already making their mark on the agricultural show circuit, as young farmer Ben Mackinnon explains

In the years to come, the younger fans of agricultural shows will be the lifeblood of the rural events of the future.

The Courier caught up with Ben Mackinnon, 27, who is a proud member of Bankfoot JAC.

“This will be my fourth year involved with young farmers,” he says, “a later starter than most! I have been on the club committee for three years. I was club chairman in 2018-19 and have recently taken on the role of club treasurer.”

Ben is also involved with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs at district and regional level, on the Perthshire district committee and East area committee.

The young farmer grew up on a 7,000-acre sheep farm and sporting estate in north Perthshire, where his father is farm manager.

Having studied agriculture at SRUC in Edinburgh, he jumped at the opportunity to go back to the estate and work alongside his father.

“Since then, we have upped the stock numbers to 1,900 ewes between us and my sister Anna, who is a self-employed shepherdess.”

According to Ben: “SAYFC plays a vital role in the function and running of shows. In terms of local level, the majority of clubs will have a local show with which they are involved.

“A good example of young farmer involvement at local level would be Perth Show. All five clubs within the Perthshire district supply the show with a few members each to assist the show committee in the setting up and taking down of the show.

“Throughout the day young farmers will run a tent where various competitions and games are run in order to showcase members’ and clubs’ skills and to raise funds. Perthshire district also runs a fat lamb class in the sheep lines, which provides an extra rivalry between members.”

Countrywide, the young farming community also plays a huge part in the Royal Highland Show.

“The activities on offer draw in huge crowds and provide the show with a great buzz. From the arts and crafts on show at the Young Farmers’ Centre from clubs all over the country to Ready Steady Cook finals with a running commentary and the much-anticipated tug o’ war finals, there is something for everyone.

“Alongside all this there are some of the greatest prizes on offer within Young Farmers with the Club of the Year announcement and Stockman of the Year prize up for grabs.”

Ben is also well aware of the significance of the local and national shows for the farming community in general.

“In a time where educating the public is becoming so important, shows offer the industry an opportunity on a weekly basis during the summer all over the country to showcase what the agriculture industry has to offer,” he points out.

“It’s a chance to market the fantastic produce that the industry is providing on the public’s doorstep.

“It allows a chance to show how the industry is embracing new technologies and methods to produce the highest quality product whilst maintaining our high welfare and environmental standards.”

He also believes that the social aspect of agricultural shows is vitally important.

“They give farmers a chance to catch up with friends and people they often only see a couple times a year! Shows are particularly important in offering people who live in isolated areas or situations a chance to socialise, even more so after a busy spring,” he says.

“Shows also provide an ideal hub for young people to mix. In a time where mental health is more spoken about, particularly within rural communities, I feel the natural setting of agricultural shows allows people a chance to combat this through socialising.”

From a personal point of view, Ben’s own show season highlights include the Royal Highland Show.

“It’s one of the first time you catch up with friends from further afield after all the rush of lambing etc has passed. It’s a great few days from a social aspect, there’s so much to see and do along with so much top-quality stock on offer.

“Our main show from a stock perspective is Perth. We show North type Black Faces and it holds the biggest entry of North type in the country.

“Another favourite is our local show, Aberfeldy, which is the following weekend from Perth. A smaller show in terms of scale but every bit as big as the rest from a social aspect!”

Ben Mackinnon and his sister Anna have won recognition at young farmer competitions.