THERE IS only one month left to nominate outstanding livestock farmers for AgriScot's Sheep and Beef Farm of the Year awards – and to encourage farmers to get involved, Quality Meat Scotland has launched two new videos highlighting last year's winners.

The two awards, sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors and supported by QMS, set out to find and reward Scottish farms which exemplify the best in beef cattle and sheep production. In 2018, the AgriScot Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year recipients were Neil and Debbie McGowan, of the 485ha upland farm Incheoch, near Alyth, who run 1100 Lleyn ewes on a low-cost sheep system, alongside a suckler cow herd, in partnership with Neil’s mother Judy, father Finlay and sister Clare.

“We love what we’re doing. We love working with sheep” said Neil. “What we’ve tried to do with our sheep enterprise is a little bit different and the AgriScot award is nice recognition for the team that’s helped us get there.”

These sentiments were echoed by 2018's AgriScot Scotch Beef Farm of the Year recipient Niall Jeffrey, who runs two spring calving herds over three farm units in partnership with his father Angus.

“To be nominated for the AgriScot Scotch Beef Farm of the Year was such a great honour but to go on and win made me so proud of our whole team and what we’ve achieved,” recalled Niall. “It allows you to step back from the day-to-day running of your farm and think differently about your business. And for me personally, it’s allowed me to do more in the wider industry – and I’ve really enjoyed that.”

Both winners are featured in the two new QMS videos, showcasing what winning the awards has meant for them, and encouraging others to get involved. The awards organisers are encouraging people right across the industry to nominate others that they believe are doing a fantastic job for the industry.

The recipients of both awards will each receive a £500 cheque plus a £250 voucher to celebrate their success at a restaurant in the Scotch Beef Club. The awards will be presented at AgriScot at Ingliston on Wednesday November 20.

Entries are welcome from all different livestock enterprises across Scotland who can demonstrate excellent stock management skill coupled with enthusiasm and focus in providing efficient, profitable production of Scotch Beef and Lamb.

Farmers can either apply themselves, or nominate, in confidence, other beef or sheep producers they feel are deserving of either title.

Those who supply services or products to the industry, from vets to feed manufacturers, as well as the others involved in the production chain such as processors, hauliers and auction markets, are also encouraged to nominate livestock farms which are examples of excellence in the industry.

The videos can be viewed on QMS’s Facebook page. To nominate a farm for either award, email the details of the sheep and beef farms which you feel are doing a great job to lstrang@qmscotland.co.uk.

The deadline for submitting nominations is October 14.