Foregone in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the award is back up and running this year along with the four other titles in the stable of farm of the year awards hosted by AgriScot.
A special AgriScot themed edition of the OnFARM podcast was used to launch the awards and to look ahead to the farm business event which is set to take place – in person if at all possible the organisers are keen to emphasise – on 17th November.
Gilmour Lawrie, convenor of the Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year Award on behalf of his fellow AgriScot Directors commented:
“It was great to hear our chairman, Robert Neill, launch the Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year Award on the OnFARM podcast. Robert does a fantastic job of explaining what we are looking for in a potential farm of the year; it's not necessarily the farm putting the most milk in the tank or with the fanciest cows, although of course, we do like to see optimum performance and happy animals. Essentially, we are looking for farms where the passion for dairying shines, somewhere that everyone involved in the industry can be proud of as Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year.”
“I’m delighted that Hugh Watson from Laigh Tarbeg, Cumnock and David McMicken from Ernespie, Castle Douglas, our 2018 and 2019 Scottish Dairy Farms of the Year respectively, have agreed to come on board as independent assessors for the 2021 award.”
“We are keen to receive nominations from the wider agricultural community, feed advisors, vets, accountants and so on, of farms they think could be worthy of the 2021 title. Of course, anyone who nominates a customer or client can remain anonymous if they wish, as we understand they may not wish to publicly show favouritism.”
“We are also keen to receive entries directly from farmers themselves – do not be shy, these awards are a great way to recognise the dedication of an entire farm team and I would encourage anyone with a passion for what they do on their farm to enter.”
The Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year Award is sponsored by CowAlert from IceRobotics and Willie Cuthbertson from the firm commented:
“We have really enjoyed our association with AgriScot and the awards. We are delighted that our sponsorship of the Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year award helps to shine a spotlight on the very best of the sector.”
“It is great to listen to Robert Neill in the OnFARM podcast. He is so positive about the prospects for AgriScot going ahead in November – something which we all have every finger crossed for – and in explaining the importance of the farm of the year awards in terms of celebrating ambassadors for the industry.”
“After the doom of the past 14 months, the AgriScot awards are a welcome way to bring some much- needed positivity and cheer into farming. I would encourage anyone to nominate or put their own farm forward!”
The Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year Award presentation will be made alongside presentations for the Arable, Scotch Beef, Sheep and the new Diversified Farm of the year titles at AgriScot on 17th November. For further information on any of the awards, to nominate or to enter, organisers can be contacted at info@agriscot.co.uk in the first instance.
