THERE are many different branches in the world of agriculture – livestock, arable, contracting – the list goes on. In the world of sheep, however, there is one name that few people won’t have heard of, in one way or another.

Maimie Paterson is not only a full-time farmer, but this stalwart of the sheep industry has her fingers in many pies, as a longstanding active member of the National Sheep Association, and as a voice that has never been afraid to speak out on behalf of the industry.

Originally from the Black Isle, Maimie lives at Upper Auchenlay Farm, near Dunblane.

At ScotSheep this year, she was awarded the NSA Scotland’s Silver Salver award, an accolade that is presented to an individual or organisation for outstanding contribution to the sheep industry – certainly a box Maimie ticks.

She took time out of her busy schedule to let The Scottish Farmer have some insight into her life, and on her views on certain aspects of the farming industry.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and how you ended up in Dunblane?

I originally came to Glasgow to study at Strathclyde University, where I got a degree in economics and business admin. Strathclyde was the first university to offer business degree courses.

I met my husband, Robert, who was farming locally, at a Young Farmers’ dance – a typical farming couple story – and when I graduated, the jobs I were offered were down south, so I changed my career-path and did a teaching certificate.

I was a primary teacher for several years, and I loved it. I taught in Stirling and Balfron for five years, and after we bought Upper Auchenlay, I did supply teaching for a few years.

Our son, also Robert, farms in partnership with us now and our daughter, Elizabeth, works in wealth management, and lives in Dunblane.

We have three grandchildren, Jamie, Hannah, and Reeva, so we’re handy for babysitting duties.

What is life like at home?

Hectic! We have 136 ha and a further 50 rented ha, where we run 30 British-Blue cows and their followers. We also have flocks of pure Charollais and Beltex sheep, which produce pure and cross-bred tups, as well as cross-bred replacements for our commercial flock.

There are around 100 Shetland ewes, also, and Robert reintroduced them a couple of years ago. Given our previous experience of Shetlands’ independent frame of mind, I was maybe a touch sceptical about the prospects of a stress-free, co-existence, but it seems to be working.

We tupped them with the Beltex and the weights and prices for these lambs have far exceeded what we expected.

Do you enjoy working on the farm?

I don’t think I would have been doing it this long if I didn’t. Farming wouldn’t be a way of life for everyone, and, in a lot of ways, your life is mapped out for you.

A certain time of year always means a certain job is on the go and it’s also an unpredictable way of life at the same time. As much as there’s a lot of certainty in the seasonality of things, there’s always something that throws a spanner in the works and keeps you on your toes.

It’s a very satisfying way of life, though. As often as there are challenges, there are also rewards.

Are you heading to the Royal Highland Show this year?

Hopefully. The Highland Show week is the target for certain jobs to be done and dusted, like first-cut silage and the hoggs being clipped. Everybody has something that must be done before they can head to Ingliston.

This year, we’re taking a British Blue bull. We used to show sheep for many years, but then we changed things around to bring the cows inside for the winter and no longer have room for show sheep candidates.

We’ve been showing at the Highland since the early 1990s and really enjoy it. We commute to the show each day and leave the delights of caravan dwelling to the younger generation.

How do you see the Highland as part of the industry?

I view the Highland as a huge opportunity to meet with the end-user of our produce, but as an industry we aren’t always good at that.

Farmers are notoriously reluctant to talk to consumers, to their own detriment. More of us need to do it.

The NSA marquee at the show used to be opposite to the old Herdsman Bar and the NSA bar was a popular meeting place, but now we’re behind the grandstand and the set-up is more welcoming to the public. We’ve made the effort to connect with them, with lots of different things going on throughout the week, like butchery demonstrations and lamb tasting, and that seems to be popular.

If I’m honest, I think the cattle side of the show could maybe do more of that kind of thing. It’s a missed opportunity to promote the beef industry. They seem to leave that to the supermarkets, but they could do more of it themselves.

The public appreciate getting up close to animals and seeing that they get treated well. RHET does a fantastic job of connecting farming and schools, and it all helps to build confidence in farmers as food producers – showing people where the product they buy in the supermarket originates from.

You’re very active in the NSA, how did that come about?

I can’t really remember how I got involved in the NSA. We have been members since the 1980s and at some point, someone asked me to be on the Scottish committee. Things just snowballed from there.

Back then, NSA wasn’t really a lobbying organisation, but foot-and-mouth in 2001 changed that. It has become more responsive to its members’ needs and more active in trying to make sure that the sheep industry’s voice is heard.

I’ve been the treasurer for many years, but it’s Euan Emslie, our events organiser, who does the admin work and deserves much credit for his recent juggling act in organising ScotSheep; three sheepdog training events, and the Highland Show marquee, all at the same time. He’s very good at multi-tasking, but needs to learn how to delegate.

Bodies like the NSA are vital to the industry. NFU Scotland do a great job, but people don’t always look to them for help with specific sheep-related issues. The NSA is a single sector-focused body, that sheep producers can rely on, and that appeals to a lot of people.

Our chairmen over the years have been approachable, accessible,and ready to listen to members’ worries at all hours of he day and night. I take my hat off to them.

The NSA Silver Salver award was a complete shock. I was totally bewildered. I thought I knew who was getting it – and it certainly wasn’t me – so I really didn’t expect it. As much as it was a huge surprise, it was a great honour.

How do you see the role of women in agriculture?

The role of women in agriculture can be exactly what women want it to be. From what I can see, there is no glass ceiling in agriculture.

There are very successful women in the industry, doing a great job.and opportunities are there for those who want them. It shouldn’t be the case that who gets a job depends on whether they’re male or female. It should be the person that is best for the job that gets it.

There is absolutely no point using the fact of being female as an excuse for not getting ahead. If there’s a perceived problem with women not being given a fair deal, and it is men that are the problem, then men have to be part of the solution.

Farming is not a bed of roses for men either. The unfortunate reality is that it’s a struggle for everyone.

There is no point in getting in a strop about feeling you are being ignored. Speak up and tell people what you think. Women in the industry are brilliant and they can bring a different perspective to the table, but need to be a lot more proactive about getting a seat at that table.

What are your views on Brexit?

There are many problems in the industry which are not helped by the uncertainty about farming post-Brexit. The next few weeks will definitely be more lively on the Brexit front. It’s been pretty boring up until now.

The reality is that we will never see an agreement that will suit everyone. I’m not even 100% sure that we will actually leave the EU.

The day after the EU referendum, Willie Rennie MSP was quite upset about the result. I told him then that I didn’t believe that we’d leave, and I still think that.

I think there’s a real possibility that something, maybe in parliament, maybe in Brussels, will happen that will stop us taking that final step, but would it be the same as before the referendum? No, I don’t think that. Our relationship with the EU has changed, whether we stay or go.

Whatever is decided, I can see years and years of endless debate ahead of us. It’s like the issue of independence in Scotland – the box has been opened and there’s no getting it shut again.

There was a small majority for Brexit, but a lot of unhappy voters want another shot at it. We really don’t cope very well with the referendum concept.

I think David Cameron should have faced up to Brussels, armed with the referendum result, and demanded changes instead of throwing in the towel. Theresa May also could have done it, but didn’t, but there you go.

That’s just my opinion.

What other problems is the industry facing?

Right now, for a lot of people, the weather, and specifically the after effects of the winter, are a massive problem for people. It was horrendous for so many of us and for a lot of people it will hang over them for a long, long time.

The snow we saw this year was awful, you just couldn’t keep up with things because of it and the losses some people will have seen in its wake will not only be felt this year, but for years to come as well.

We’re a resilient industry, though, we’ve faced weather issues before, and dealt with it, and I have no doubt that we will do the same again.

Do you have plans for the future?

As far as the future’s concerned, my plan is to do as little as possible.

No, the future means helping the younger generation step up and take the reins, while acting as a sounding board, adviser and general dogsbody. Being sacked on a regular basis is also a feature of the job, which is no doubt common to every similar farming set-up.

Letting go is not always an easy thing to do, but it’s good seeing your work being continued in capable hands. That, in itself is a major sign of success, in my book.