Nearly 300 members of the farming community gathered in Aberdeen for the Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS) awards lunch.
The prestigious event is held every year to recognise and celebrate the achievements of members of the farming community in the area.
Seven awards were presented – four to leading industry figures and three to rising stars in the sector.
Winning the Press and Journal Award, which recognises a public figure or personality for their services to agriculture, was Graham Baxter, the managing director of north-east animal feed firm Harbro.
He was presented with the award for his work at the Turriff-headquartered firm and his commitment to helping farmers.
The local award, which is sponsored by north-east farmers’ co-operative Aberdeen and Northern Marts, was presented to enthusiastic and dedicated tattie expert Morrice Innes, of Oldtown, Newmachar.
The award, which recognises someone for their services to local communities, specialist farming organisations or groups, was awarded to Mr Innes, who, along with his wife Ann, has a collection of nearly 700 varieties of potatoes. It follows the pair winning a gold medal at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in May for a display of tubers.
Meanwhile, the David Argo Award, which is presented to an unsung hero employed in the agricultural sector, was given to Thainstone Mart stalwart Allan Taylor.
Mr Taylor is a highly respected cattle auctioneer, who recently retired after 53 years working at Aberdeen and Northern Marts.
The Under 35 Award, sponsored by SRUC, was presented to dairy farmer William Willis, of Glasgoforest, Kinellar.
Mr Willis was given the award, which celebrates a person under the age of 35 who has demonstrated significant achievement and contribution to agriculture, in recognition of his work in developing a successful grass-based organic dairying business, which he took on following his father’s death 10 years ago.
Meanwhile, three young rising stars in the sector were also recognised at yesterday’s awards lunch.
First up winning the student award for a farmer’s son or daughter working at home was Morag Brown, of Hilton of Culsh, New Deer. Morag is currently studying for the final year of an agricultural degree at SRUC’s Craibstone campus.
Next winning the award for a student employed outwith the home was Hazel Kennedy, of Home Farm, Nether Kinmundy, Longside. Hazel is currently undertaking a scholarship with poultry company Aviagen.
Both awards were sponsored by Clydesdale Bank.
A third award for a youngster – the award for an agricultural apprentice as sponsored by Turriff Agri Parts – was presented to Ross Ellis, of Trigellyn, Toddlehills, Arthrath, Ellon. Ross has been working at Ravenhill’s Maud depot for four and a half years.
All three youngsters will travel to agricultural shows in Paris next year.