Three finalists have emerged from the recent qualifying heats of the AgriScot Business Skills Competition.
Five competitors took part in the north regional heat and six in the south. These regional heats were held on-farm, with competitors quizzed by the host farmers and independent judges to assess their practical farming expertise and business knowledge.
The three finalists, who will now go on to compete against each other at AgriScot on 9th February are:
Heather Kerr, a lecturer at SRUC, who co-ordinates the competition on behalf of the AgriScot team commented:
“It is so great to have 3 finalists from different backgrounds this year. We have Ben, an SRUC student, Emily a Harper Adams graduate working in farm administration and Stewart who is a hands-on farmer and active SAYFC member. We are all delighted by this as we have always sought to encourage entrants from across rural Scotland.”
“The three finalists emerged from stiff competition at the on-farm semi-finals, held courtesy of Tom Sanderson, Biggarshiels Mains, Biggar and Iain Wilson, Tulloch Farms, Laurencekirk. I know that the host farmers and our independent judges from the Royal Bank of Scotland (Emma Cowie (Laurencekirk) and Stuart Hamilton (Biggar) had a very difficult job selecting these finalists.”
AgriScot Chairman, Robert Neill, attended the South semi-final and commented:
“I went along to the semi-final at Biggarshiels really just as an observer. I came away hugely impressed by the quality of competitors. I would personally like to thank everyone who entered and took part in the semi-finals; the future of our industry is in safe-hands with young people of this calibre”
“Good luck to our finalists for the final stage at AgriScot on 9th February. Also, huge thanks to our sponsors, NFU Mutual and to Heather and her team of host farmers, judges and behind the scenes helpers for all of their hard work and generous support.”
Mark McBrearty, NFU Mutual Regional Manager also wished the finalists well:
“It’s great to see such a high calibre of entries from all corners of the country. NFU Mutual are delighted to be sponsoring this award, recognising inspirational young people coming up within the industry. I wish our finalists good luck and very much look forward to the announcement in February.”
Image above: Emily Mosley
Image above: Ben McSporran
Image above: Stewart Shaw
Anna Davies: Email: anna@sceneandherdpr.co.uk
Ross (Monty) Montague: Email: monty@sceneandherdpr.co.uk
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