2019 AgriScot Business Skills Winner Announced

A one-thousand-pound cash prize has been awarded to the winner of 2019 AgriScot Business Skills competition.The winner of the competition, which was sponsored by Dairymaster UK Ltd for a second year, and supported by SAYFC and SRUC, was announced at AgriScot today.The 2019 accolade went to Jack Cooper. In his fourth year of the BSc Agriculture course at SRUC Aberdeen, Jack combines his studies with part-time work on a local farm. In entering the competition, Jack is looking to further develop his business management skills to add to extensive on-farm experience in both the arable and livestock sectors, and his long-term goal is to work as a farm manager.[caption id="attachment_1161" align="alignleft" width="300"]

L-R Fergus Ewing, Jack Cooper, James Greer and Robert Neil[/caption]The final saw the four competitors judged on the task of assessing the value and relevance of an innovative product or service showcased at AgriScot. They had to make a presentation on their assessment to a judging panel that asked them a range of questions on business skills, topical agricultural issues and assess how they are developing their CV.This year, the product assessed was AHV Agri-Pharma, a new innovative solution in the fight against pathogenic bacteria in dairy cows (antibiotic-free).The other two finalists for the 2019 competition were:Martin Flood – from a family beef farm in Co. Monaghan in Ireland, Martin is in his third year of the BSc Agriculture course at SRUC Ayr. With a keen interest in grassland management, Martin has gained valuable experience milking on local dairy farms.Sarah Hodge – from a family farm in East Lothian, Sarah is a fourth-year Rural Business Management student at SRUC Edinburgh. On completion of her course, Sarah is aiming for a career in Land Management, having already completed a summer placement with Galbraith.The judging panel this year consisted of George Baikie of SAC Consulting, Ian Hope of Galbraiths, and John Kinnaird of AgriScot. Jack Cooper, 2019 AgriScot Business Skills winner, had the following to say about his award;“Making the final was great. I’d definitely recommend the experience, it’s added to my skills and helped highlight changes and opportunities in the industry.”James Greer, Dairymaster Area Manager for Scotland, added:“Dairymaster is proud to sponsor this award again, and we are encouraged by young folk in the industry and the forward-thinking finalists.”Heather Kerr, 2019 AgriScot Business Skills Competition Coordinator said:“I was very impressed by the standard of the candidates this year, and it shows that there’s a really bright future for the industry.”ENDSNotes for Editors:Please find attached a picture of Jack Cooper being presented the 2019 AgriScot Business Skills Award in the Main Ring at AgriScot. L-R Fergus Ewing, Jack Cooper, James Greer and Robert Neil.For more information, please contact Iona St Joseph of Scene and Herd PR iona@sceneandherdpr.co.uk