AGRISCOT and Quality Meat Scotland have announced their three finalists for the Scotch Beef farm of the year award.

The finalist farms, from Inverness, Dumfries and Galloway and East Lothian, have very different types of beef systems, but all three farming families believe in improving productivity and efficiency to produce high quality, quality assured cattle.

The finalists are Seggarsdean Farm, Haddington, East Lothian, run by Andrew Kennedy and sons; Drumdow Farm near Stranraer, run by Robert Parker; and Corrimony Farm near Glenurquhart, Inverness, run by David Girvan.

QMS head of industry development, Douglas Bell, said that he had been extremely impressed with the stockmanship skills and passion shown by those involved in all three short-listed businesses: “It was a privilege to visit the three finalist farms and get a real understanding of their businesses and their aspirations for the future. Although the types of farms have been diverse, all of the farmers showed dedication to their chosen specialisms and a focus on the market place for the stock produced on the farm.”

AgriScot chairman Andrew Moir added: “It is important that AgriScot showcases the best of beef production in Scotland and we are delighted that we are recognising these finalists. All three farms are very different but share strong commercial skills and a forward-thinking approach.”

All farms producing cattle destined to be used for meat sold under the Scotch Beef label – from breeders through to finishers – were eligible to apply for the award and required to be members of QMS’s quality assurance scheme.

The award aims to showcase excellence in the production of cattle in Scotland and raise the profile of the dedication and stock management skills behind the production of Scotch Beef PGI. The overall winner will be revealed on Wednesday, November 16 at AgriScot, at 12.25pm in the main ring.