IT IS the ‘Year of Young People’ in Scotland this year and fittingly one rising young show star will become the show’s youngest ever judge.

Laura Green (21), from Corskie Farm, in Morayshire – home to the famous Corskie herd of pedigree Simmentals and now Shorthorns as well as a flock of Texel sheep – will cast her eyes over and select the best young handler in the beef section.

Laura graduated last year from SRUC Craibstone with a BA degree in Rural Business Management and has since returned home to the family farm to work full time, alongside her father Iain.

The Green family has strong connections with the show, having attended for four generations and having won the Simmental championship in 2014.

“It is a tremendous honour and privilege to have been asked to judge at the Royal Highland Show and something I would only dream of getting asked to do,” said Laura.

“Every section at the show has an exceptional standard and the young handlers class is no different. Having done young handlers myself for a number of years, I know exactly what I’ll be looking for.

“It’s so important to encourage and educate the younger generation in showmanship. It helps them improve their skills, meet new people and gain valuable knowledge in working at a high standard. Young people working at this level offer great promise for the future of our industry and bring valuable enthusiasm and new ideas.”

Laura’s achievements in the cattle industry are impressive, including qualifying five times for the Aberdeen-Angus Youth Development Programme, where she was joint second in the intermediate section.

The family has also seen great show success.

“Some of the highlights include two Simmental breed champions and three junior inter-breed wins,” added Laura. “My first calf under my own prefix, Garmouth Clover’s Elderflower, was reserve junior in 2015. The previous year, her mother was first in her class and together they won best cow and calf combination in the Simmental section.”

The show manager, David Jackson, commented: “In the Year of Young People, it is fitting that we have Laura on the judging team. She is a great example of the immense talent and enthusiasm of the next generation of farmers and I am thrilled she has agreed to be one of the show’s judges.”