Zoë Wilson

COMMERCIAL sheep farmers in Scotland are always looking at ways of making their flocks more productive and one Ayrshire farming family may have found one of the best breeds for doing just that.

Photographs by Zak Harrison

STARRING IN this week’s Contractor’s Yard feature is Gordon ‘Butch’ Reynolds, of Gordon Reynolds Agricultural Contractor, and here is a snap of his current line-up of John Deere tractors. From left to right is Butch’s John Deere collection: 6195R; 6930; 6630; and 6420S

AFTER an emergency general meeting, Stonehouse Show is cancelled this year.

DOUNE and Dunblane Show will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Keir Mains, Dunblane, FK15 9NU.

LESMAHAGOW Agricultural Show will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Showfield, Brocketsbrae, Lesmahagow, ML11 9PT.

CONTINUING with our Women in Agriculture series, we delved into the world of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs this week, and met with the organisation’s national events and communications manager, Sheena Foster, to find out what life at the helm of the Young Farmers’ ship is like. She is based at SAYFC’s head office, at Ingliston, Edinburgh, and spends her time dealing with Young Farmers Clubs across Scotland, while travelling up and down the country, ensuring that the organisation runs to its full potential. A past chairman and secretary at various levels, Sheena’s knowledge of the organisation is quite possibly one of the most varied we have come across, meaning she is more than suited to the role, which she has now been in for almost two years. She welcomed us into her home, just outside of Larkhall, in Lanarkshire, to open up about her career at the organisation and also to  discuss how she ended up working for Scotland’s top rural youth organisation, and what she did before getting there.

IN order to celebrate its 85th year, Bell Baxter ADS’ key achievement was raising funds for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.

WINNING SAYFC’s east region 10-pin bowling competition this year was Kinross JAC, with a total of 999 points.

PEEBLESSHIRE JAC will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year, and will host various events, and publish a commemorative book.