Hundreds of farmers from across the north-east gathered at a farm in Oldmeldrum on Thursday night to pay tribute to the Press and Journal’s late farming editor Joe Watson.
The third annual Joe Watson stockjudging and social evening was hosted at Robbie, Barbara and James Milne’s North Bethelnie Farm, Oldmeldrum.
The event, which was launched by NFU Scotland in memory of Joe who died in March 2014 at the age of 43, saw hundreds of farmers rally together to raise funds for the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative and the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance.
The evening, which included a stockjudging competition, a guess the weight of the beast contest, a charity raffle and farm tours, saw £1,340 raised for the two charities.
Refreshments were provided by Norvite and north-east pig producers Kevin Gilbert and Danny Skinner put on a roast pig spread.
Members of Joe’s family – mother Mirren, brothers Fraser and Murdo, and nephew and niece Joe and Amy – were in attendance and presented prizes to all the stockjudging winners including a perpetual trophy in honour of Joe to the champion.
This year’s champion was Don Anderson from Brucewell Farms, Stonehaven, who took first place in the open male section.
After presenting the awards, Joe’s brother Fraser thanked NFU Scotland members for organising the event.
He said: “On behalf of my family I’d like to sincerely thank everyone involved in setting this up. I’m 100% sure Joe would have appreciated the hard work and effort for tidying up the farm and getting ready for the event.
“On the week of Joe’s birthday it’s good for us to hear your heart-felt stories of Joe and this helps us to understand the respect that Joe has in the farming world.”
The stockjudging results are as follows:
Junior: 1 – James Low; 2- Natalie Lane; 3 – Michael Middleton.
Young farmers female: 1 – Dawn Nicolson; 2 – Lauren Milne; 3 – Claire Black.
Young farmers male: 1 – John Brown; 2 – Rory Livesey; 3 – Jake Rennie.
Open female: 1 – Wendy Willox; 2 – Sheena Rodger; 3 – Irene Fowlie.
Open male: 1 – Don Anderson; 2 – Andrew Connon; 3 – Danny Skinner Snr.