IT'S not long now until several hundred Young Farmers head to Elgin for the annual SAYFC National competition weekend.

The weekend travels to a different region every year and 2016 sees the North Region host the event which kicks off on Friday, February 26, with the 'Young Farmers got talent' competition at the Eight Acres Hotel, followed by a dance at the same venue.

The itinerary takes a more serious turn for the remainder of the weekend as the interviews commence for the Agri and Rural Affairs study tour to New Zealand as well as for the various international trips on offer.

It's on Saturday, too, that the Member of the Year finalists will be interviewed by Gill Braid, Jane Kennedy and John Gordon.

For those wishing to see a bit of North-east farm life, the association has organised a trip to the Green family's Corskie Farm near Garmouth, Fochabers, and a bus has been arranged to take members to and from Elgin - contact the SAYFC office for more information.

This trip will be back in time for the 10-pin bowling final at Pinz Bowling at 12.30pm, before the Member of the Year dance starts at 7.30pm, where the winner will be announced later in the evening, again at the Eight Acres Hotel.

On Sunday, the five-a-side football competition kicks off at 9.45am at Elgin Academy, while the senior speechmaking and quiz finals will be held at the Elgin Football club, commencing at 11am.