A record-breaking crowd flocked to Over Finlarg for a long-awaited NSA Scotsheep 2022, where farmers and industry enthusiasts were able to catch up with friends old and new and find out how best to meet the ongoing challenges facing the industry.

The Scottish Farmer: the farm tour offered fantastic views of the farm and 360 views from the top of the hill Ref:RH010622121 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...the farm tour offered fantastic views of the farm and 360 views from the top of the hill Ref:RH010622121 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

After being postponed on three previous occasions due to COVID-19, host farmers Robert and Hazel McNee, also welcomed a huge number of school children and young farmers eager to get a foot on the farming ladder.

It's a scenario which is proving nigh impossible due to soaring costs of production and little if any return. Add in the fact that there is not the ground available for let when the Forestry Commission is paying £8000 per acre and estates are taking previous tenancies back into their own hands and it comes as no surprise that there are just not the freedoms out there for young people to farm in their own right.

The Scottish Farmer: Foot on the farming ladder panel, from left, Robert Rennie, Ian Davidson and Andrew Merchant Ref:RH010622128 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Foot on the farming ladder panel, from left, Robert Rennie, Ian Davidson and Andrew Merchant Ref:RH010622128 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

However, there are still opportunities, according to Ian Davidson, independent adviser for the Scottish Land Matching Service (SLMS) which acts as a free service connecting those in the agricultural sector throughout Scotland.

The Scottish Farmer: the opening ceremony was well received Ref:RH010622101 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...the opening ceremony was well received Ref:RH010622101 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

"There are a lot of good young people out there who need a chance and we can help develop a relationship with farmers who have an opportunity on their farm for some sort of contract or share farming agreement," he said.

"We have a database of about 450 looking to get into farming of some sort with enquiries from Shetland to Ireland and further afield. Most of them are for general contract farming but there are also bespoke agreements. There is no standard template for contract or joint venture enterprises and scale is not an issue," added Mr Davidson.

The Scottish Farmer: Sheep dog trial winner was Elinore Alisson with Kidd Ref:RH010622136 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Sheep dog trial winner was Elinore Alisson with Kidd Ref:RH010622136 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

However with so few business opportunities available, just 18 agreements have been made in the last two years.

On a more positive note, Robert Rennie, Attonburn, Kelso and Andrew Marchant, Clonhie, Dumfries-shire, were keen to stress that, there is still scope for new entrants.

The Scottish Farmer: Next Generation Shepherd of the year was Ewen Runciman from Lauder Ref:RH010622129 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Next Generation Shepherd of the year was Ewen Runciman from Lauder Ref:RH010622129 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Speaking on the Foot on the Farming Ladder panel, Mr Rennie, pointed out he left school at 16 years of age and embarked on a steep learning curve, working for several farmers before he and his wife Becca began a contract farming agreement with Roxburgh Estates. As a result, the couple now farm some 3000acres and 2200 hill-type ewes at Attonburn and Mowhaugh, just outside Yetholm.

"I went to work for Charles Symons, Attonburn, where I learned how to bring out Cheviot sheep to their best, before going to Homebyres to work with pedigree Limousins," said Mr Rennie. "Between the ages of 16 and 20, I worked on several farms and made as many contacts as possible. Contacts are a massive part of farming as people will spend more on your stock if they know who you are," he said.

"Take advice from as many people as possible and implement it. Go to the market and see you sheep sold and make contact with people," Mr Rennie said, adding that producing good breeding stock will always sell for more money through the auction mart than selling finished animals through the abattoir.

The Scottish Farmer: Kilted Barber Campbell Ewen takes a bit off the top for Cammy Wilson, from RSABI CEO,Carol McLaren and development officer Margo Wills Ref:RH010622113 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Kilted Barber Campbell Ewen takes a bit off the top for Cammy Wilson, from RSABI CEO,Carol McLaren and development officer Margo Wills Ref:RH010622113 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Livestock can also be used to help cash flow, with the couple breeding pedigree shearlings to help boost incomes and produce home-bred breeding tups. Cows and calves are also sold if cash is needed.

In contrast, Andrew Marchant, who is not from a farming family, began his career in 2012 after starting an engineering course which eventually lent itself to a farm manger's position and then 230acres rented from Buccleuch Estate. He started with just 12 ewes, which over the years has been built up to 800 ewes, 35 cows, 200 dairy beef store cattle and 350 red deer, on a 850-acre tenancy with the same estate.

"I started from scratch and gained a lot of experience before I took on a farm manager's position, which all helped to build up a good reputation. I always wanted to make a commercial farm viable and to be able to grow stock numbers from it and I've done everything I could to make it work from shearing sheep, to feeding cattle to driving tractors," said Mr Marchant.

"You've got to be open minded, flexible and willing to try new things, breeds, and or areas if you want to farm, because contracts/tenancies don't come up that often. You also have to do a lot of budgeting and be disciplined on cash flow. I focussed on making a profit ever year and making every acre work, but that puts a lot of stress on people.

The Scottish Farmer: Simon Gibb and John Morgan won the fencing competition Ref:RH010622130 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Simon Gibb and John Morgan won the fencing competition Ref:RH010622130 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

"A lot of it is attitude. You have to remember that no one owes you a living. Farming is a hard old game to be in and you have got to make sacrifices.

"I've had a great 10 years trying to get into farming. It has been tough and there is only light at the end of the tunnel now," said Mr Marchant adding that just last year he took on another 700acres in joint venture with Buccleuch Estates farming red deer.

Attitude and grit determination are just two aspects, Stephen Buchan, regional head of agriculture with Virgin Money, looks for in clients seeking a business loan too, alongside business plans and funders.

He also goes on an individual's previous track record and what security they already have. It is nevertheless a business plan that is key to any future relationship with a bank.

"If you are making a business plan make sure it is yours and assume the reader has no idea of what your business entails but prepare on the basis that all bankers are experts. You also need a great summary page which covers what you are planning, how much funding you will require and how you plan to pay it back. We like to know what makes your business different and why we as bankers should lend to you compared to anyone else," said Mr Buchan.

The Scottish Farmer: Hamish Mitchell won the speed shear competition, shearing a hogg in a speedy 29.3secondsHamish Mitchell won the speed shear competition, shearing a hogg in a speedy 29.3seconds

He added that he has seen business plans of two pages to 200 pages, with a successful loan dependant on where margins can be driven. Budgets also have to be built on best, worst and most likely scenarios, and how cash flows will work.

"Cash pays back loans not profits. 82% of businesses go out of business due to a lack of cash," warned Mr Buchan.

Outwith the seminars, the event, sponsored by Virgin Money, featured 40 breed societies and individual breeders, 160 trade stands and various competitions and seminars which were held throughout the course of the day, with the farm tour proving extremely popular.

A shepherd’s crook made by John Fotheringham from Ardler, Meigle, was sold prior to the sale of ewe hoggs, raising £400 for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

Jennifer Craig, chairperson of NSA Scotland, was awarded the NSA Scotland silver salver for outstanding contribution to the sheep industry. Ms Craig farms at Normangill, Crawford, Biggar, and is currently in her fourth year as chairperson of the organisation.

LEADING awards

NSA Next Generation of the Year – 1, Ewan Runciman, Lauder; 2, Freddy Fulford, Fort William; 3, Billy Gray, Ayrshire. Best under 21 – 1, Freddy Fulford.

Fencing competition – 1, HVB Fencing, Stoke-on-Trent (Simon Gibbs and John Morgan); 2, Knoxfield Estate Services, Perthshire (Mark Stewart and Matthew Gray); 3, Samson Fencing, Dumfries (Rory and Duncan Samson).

Sheepdog trial – 1, Elinore Nilsson, Alyth, with Kid; 2, Neil Campbell, Fossoway; 3, Michael Gallagher, Alyth.

Stockjudging – Open – 1, Kevin Laing; 2, Anna Smith; 3, Harry Gemmill. YFC – 1, John Graham; 2, Gavin Law; 3, Muriel Forbes.

Quickshear – 1 – Hamish Mitchell, Glenfarg (29.6 seconds to shear one hogg); 2, Archie Paterson, Isle of Bute; 3, Michael Dogg, Scottish Borders.

Trade stands

Breed society

1 – Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders’ Association; 2, North Country Cheviot Sheep Society; 3, Rough Fell Sheep Breeders’ Association.

Indoor

1 – Logie Durno Sheep; 2, Luing Cattle Society; 3, Parkside Veterinary Group, Dundee.

Outdoor

1 – GP Smart & Son, Alford; 2, ATV Services, Ayr; 3, Ogilvy Spirts, Glamis.

Guess the tag – Sarah Martin, Tealing.

Online ticket sales prize draw (Claas Axion 960 front loader toy tractor supplied by Sellars Agriculture) – Rhona Sharp, Forfar.