More than £2,300 was raised for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance at a special stock judging event held in memory of the Press and Journal’s late farming editor Joe Watson.
NFU Scotland’s Aberdeen branch hosted the fourth annual Joe Watson stockjudging and social evening at Middleton of Potterton Farm, Potterton, near Aberdeen. The farm is run by brothers Drew and Ian Thomson, and Ian’s son, Ian jun.
The event was launched following the sudden death of Joe at the age of 43 in March 2014.
Around 200 farmers from across the region attended the stock judging fundraiser, and Aberdeen and Northern Marts auctioneer John Angus was tasked with judging the beasts on offer.
The overall winner of the contest, and recipient of the Joe Watson Perpetual Trophy, was George Auchnie, of Glasslaw, Turriff, with 200 points.
He was given the trophy by members of the Watson family and Joe’s brother Fraser thanked everyone on behalf of the family. Fraser was also the winner of a football and golf competition.
Standing joint second place in the open section were Pauline Connon of North Quilquox, Ythanbank, and Keith Rendall of Brackens, Turriff. They both scored 194 points. Third place, with 183 points, was John Donald, of Meadowbank, Greeness, Cuminestown.
First place in the young farmers section went to Martyn Thomson, of Overton, Fetternear, with 189 points.
Second place with 175 points was Scott Dey of Bogbeth Drive, Inverurie, followed by William Moir of Home Farm, Cairness, in third place with 166 points.
A special guess the weight of the cow competition, sponsored by A.M. Phillip, was won by John Clark of Braiklay Croft, Methlick. The beast weighed 1,094kg and Mr Clark guessed its weight was 1,084kg.
The crowed enjoyed beef burgers and pork sausages supplied by McIntosh Donald, and all drinks were provided by animal feed firm Norvite.
Mackies provided ice cream and the Mitchell family at Castleton Farm, near Laurencekirk, provided strawberries.
The fundraising total of £2,366 will be donated to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, which was one of Joe’s favourite charities, at the Royal Highland Show later this week.