From the Borders to Easter Ross Agriscot winners are honoured

While East Lothian farm Bielgrange near Dunbar was named Beef Farm of the Year at this week’s Agriscot event, a plethora of other awards saw plaudits spread around the country.

Family run Laigh Tarbeg in East Ayrshire won the Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year title.

Owned and operated by Alistair and Hugh Watson the unit was described as a case study in how innovative technology, such as robotic milking, feeders and shed scrapers, could be used to take the drudg- ery out of routine chores, allowing a better work/life balance.

Incheoch, near Alyth, a family farm in Perthshire, lifted the Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year.

Run by husband and wife Neil and Debbie Mcgowan in partnership with Neil’s mother Judy, father Finlay and sister Clare, the unit consists of 485 upland hectares running 1,100 Lleyn ewes on a system which focuses on low costs in terms of capital and labour. The farm uses EID technology and EBVS to help produce “functional, efficient and robust breeding stock”.

The Mcgowans said they were dedicated to improving the genetics of their flock and enhancing the commercially relevant traits, particularly maternal characteristics in business founded on prime lamb production.

Bowhill Farming Ltd, in Selkirk, managed by Sion Williams and his team, gained the runners up prize for commitment to producing Scotch Lamb.

Rhynie Farm in Easter Ross, run by Donald Ross, picked up the Scottish Arable Farm of the Year award – commended for his detailed understanding of his costs, his passion for collaboration and his zeal for soil health.