FATHER AND son team Jimmy and Willie Thomson are the recipients of this year's prestigious Sir William Young Award.

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland award recognises outstanding contribution of members to livestock breeding and commemorates the service to Scottish agriculture by the late Sir William Young.

The father and son duo from Kelso have been singled out for their exceptional contribution to the world of sheep breeding.

Based at Hownam Grange, a 1650-acre hill farm on the Roxburghe Estate which the family has tenanted since 1941, father Jimmy and son Willie have been at the top of North Country Cheviot breed for many years now.

2019 was a fantastic year for the pair, with one ewe lamb selling for £4500, a new breed record for a female, and during the September tup sales at Lockerbie both sale days were topped with Hownam Grange tups selling at £6000 each. 

Read more - Hownam Grange record at £4500

   

Their contribution to the North Country Cheviot breed has also recently been noted by the Scottish Farmer, identifying them as one of two families considered to be the very best of stockman in Scotland - shortlisting three of their sheep in our Champions of the Decade competition.   

Read more -Fantastic win for Hownam Grange Northies

Although facing the challenge of a sale season impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, in the long term their plans are to create a future-proofed business structure for the next generation, should they wish to continue the family’s successful farming legacy. 

Find out more in this week's edition of The Scottish Farmer