Gary Mitchell, West Galdenoch, Stranraer

Gary operated an arable and beef enterprise until September, 2007, when he switched to dairying, starting with 130 cows while converting the farm. 

He currently milks 800, with all female young-stock over three months old reared off farm under contract. He farms 750 acres, of which 450 acres are owned and 300 acres rented (half on a five-year tenancy). 

Around 150 acres are zero grazed; 375 acres are grown for silage and 225 acres are in winter wheat. 

Gary was milk committee chairman from 2012 to 2014 and has been the regional chairman for Dumfries and Galloway since February, 2014.

Martin Kennedy, Lurgan Farm, Edradynate, Aberfeldy

Martin is married with three daughters and farms with his wife Jane in Highland Perthshire on a hill farm rising to 2500ft. 

At home, the livestock enterprise comprises of 600 breeding ewes, 30 continental cows and 30 Highland cattle in very much a hill system. 

Martin has served two years as Highland Perthshire branch president and he first went on to represent the East Central region on the LFA committee in 2009 before being elected as vice-chairman of it for three years. 

He is currently serving his second year as chairman of the LFA committee. 

He has also been chairman of Aberfeldy Show and Highland Games for the past six years.

Tom French, Nether Balgray, Crawfordjohn, Biggar

Tom, aged 50, is married to Anne with two daughters. He farms 200 acres of upland grass/arable rented from Douglas and Angus estates. 

The farm business produces suckled calves, sold as stores at 11 to 15-month-old and has grown 20 to 30 acres of spring barley for home feed/bedding but this is currently being reviewed with a view to establish in sheep enterprise. 

Tom is a past chairman of Lanark and District Young Farmers, and served two years as chairman of Clydesdale branch of NFUS. 

After two years, as Forth and Clyde regional vice-chairman, Tom was elected regional chairman in January 2012.

Tom is vice-president of Lanark Agricultural Discussion Society.