Following the announcement that Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years, figures from the UK agricultural industry have paid tribute.

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: “NFU Scotland joins the nation in mourning Her Majesty the Queen.

“Over many decades, she has given exceptional service and dedication to the UK and the Commonwealth, and millions will feel a deep and profound loss at her passing.

“Here in Scotland, we fondly remember her long-standing enthusiasm and support for farming, rural life, and the countryside as well as her patronage and visits to the Royal Highland Show. Her lifelong association with Royal Deeside and the estate at Balmoral, famed for its Highland cattle and Highland ponies, often saw the Queen, accompanied by the Royal family, enjoy rural Scotland at its finest.

“She was an excellent livestock breeder," said Mr Kennedy. "In this memorable jubilee year, Her Majesty saw her Highland bull Gusgurlach of Balmoral, win top prize at the Royal Highland Show for the second year in a row. Her Highland Pony stud at Balmoral has also been hugely influential in securing the future of this iconic Scottish breed.

“Her service to farming and rural communities up and down the country will not be forgotten and many farmers, crofters and landowners will be able to reflect on the role they recently played in marking Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee by supporting the nationwide network of beacons lit this summer to mark the occasion or participating in the Queen’s Green canopy tree-planting initiative which will grow into a fitting legacy to an exceptional monarch.”

English NFU president Minette Batters shared her deepest condolences with the Royal Family.

“Words cannot describe the deep sense of sadness that I and the rest of the farming community will feel at the news of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

“Her Majesty has been the embodiment of duty and public service, seeing the country through seven decades where we have seen huge change in our nation and in our fields.

“The Queen’s deep connection to the countryside has been valued enormously by farmers and has left a remarkable legacy that will continue for generations.

“On behalf of farmers in England and Wales, I would like to send my deepest condolences to the King, Queen Consort and the Royal Family at this truly sad time for our country.”

Soil Association CEO Helen Browning joined these tributes: “We are deeply saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts and condolences are with our patron, His Royal Highness King Charles III and the entire Royal Family.

“It is with immense admiration that we reflect on Her Majesty’s extraordinary service to the UK and the Commonwealth and we share the nation’s sorrow at her loss. We will celebrate and miss her equally as a remarkable monarch, inspirational woman and a warm and trusted constant across seven decades.”

HM The Queen attended the first Royal Highland Show at its new Ingliston home in 1960 and then again when visiting in 1984 and in 2009. More recently, she provided a red letter day for the organisers of the Turriff Show by visiting the event in 2014.

The Queen has more than 600 patronages, including many from the farming sector. Here are some of those she has been associated with and, of course, she has her own Balmoral Highland cattle fold and has a highly respected stud of Highland ponies:

  • Ayrshire Cattle Society of Great Britain and Ireland
  • Ballater Royal Horticultural Society
  • Canadian National Exhibition Association
  • Commonwealth Forestry Association
  • Highland Cattle Society
  • IACR-Rothamsted
  • Jersey Cattle Society of the United Kingdom
  • King’s Lynn Horticultural Society
  • National Federation of Young Farmers’ Club
  • National Institute of Agricultural Botany
  • Red Poll Cattle Society
  • Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
  • Royal Agricultural Society of England
  • Royal Agricultural University
  • Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers
  • Royal Bath and West of England Society
  • Royal East Berkshire Agricultural Association
  • Royal Guernsey Agricultural Society of Scotland
  • Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
  • Royal Horticultural Society
  • Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen
  • Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society
  • Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society
  • Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association
  • Royal Smithfield Club
  • Royal Society of Western Australia
  • Royal Welsh Agricultural Society
  • Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society
  • The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution
  • Sandringham Estate Cottage Horticultural Society
  • South of England Agricultural Society
  • The Farmers Club