The winners of this year’s prestigious Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS) awards have been announced.
A number of awards are presented by the society every year to recognise members of the farming community in the area.
The recipients of the awards – four leading industry figures and three rising stars in the sector – will receive their awards at a special awards lunch on Friday, November 6, at the Skyway Hotel (formerly the Thistle Hotel) at Aberdeen Airport.
The winner of this year’s Press and Journal Award, which recognises a public figure or personality for their services to agriculture, goes to the chief of a well-known north-east animal feed firm – Graham Baxter of Harbro.
Mr Baxter has been instrumental in growing the animal-feed firm since its inception in 1977 to a £100million turnover business, with a strong focus on research and development.
Next up the local award, which is sponsored by Aberdeen and Northern Marts, will be presented to potato expert Morrice Innes, of Oldtown, Newmachar.
The award, which recognises someone for their services to local communities, specialist farming organisations or group, will be awarded to Mr Innes in recognition of his work in preserving more than 700 varieties of potatoes.
Meanwhile the David Argo Award, which is presented to an unsung hero employed in the agricultural sector, will be presented to Thainstone Mart stalwart Allan Taylor.
Mr Taylor recently retired after 53 years working at Aberdeen and Northern Marts where he was a highly respected cattle auctioneer.
The Under 35 Award, sponsored by SRUC, will be awarded to dairy farmer William Willis, of Glasgoforest, Kinellar.
The award, which is given to a person in that age group who has demonstrated significant achievement and contribution to agriculture, will be given to Mr Willis in recognition of his work in developing a successful grass-based organic dairying businesses.
Lastly, three awards will be presented to upcoming figures in the sector.
The student award for a farmer’s son or daughter working at home will be presented to Morag Brown, of Hilton of Culsh, New Deer, while the award for a student employed outwith the home will go to Hazel Kennedy, of Home Farm, Nether Kinmundy, Longside.
The award for an agricultural apprentice goes to Ross Ellis, of Trigellyn, Toddlehills, Arthrath, Ellon.
Tickets for the awards lunch on Friday, November 6, cost £25 and are available from RNAS secretary Alison Argo. They can be obtained by calling Mrs Argo on 07714889628 or by emailing secretary@rnas.info