A Moray farmer has been confirmed as the youngest judge selected for this year’s Royal Highland Show.
Laura Green, from Corskie Farm in Moray, will cast an expert eye over the Beef Cattle Young Handlers Class at the event in Edinburgh this June.
Hers will be a familiar name to those in Scottish farming circles as the Green family have been part of the show for four generations.
Most recently, they have exhibited their world-renowned Simmentals, winning the Champion title in 2014.
Miss Green graduated last year from SRUC’s Craibstone campus with a degree in rural business management.
She has since returned home to the family farm to work full time alongside her father Iain.
“It is a tremendous honour and privilege to have been asked to judge at the Royal Highland Show and something I could only have dreamed of doing,” she said.
“This is such an amazing opportunity.
“It’s so important to encourage and educate the younger generation in showmanship.
“It helps them improve their skills, meet new people and gain valuable knowledge in working at a high standard,” said Laura.
“Young people working at this level offer great promise for the future of our industry and bring valuable enthusiasm and new ideas.”
Laura herself has qualified five times for the Aberdeen Angus Youth Development Programme, where she has picked up several prizes including overall joint second in the intermediate section.
Royal Highland Show manager, David Jackson, said: “In the Year of Young People, it is fitting that we have Laura on the judging team.
“She is a great example of the immense talent and enthusiasm of the next generation of farmers and I am thrilled she has agreed to be one of the Show’s judges.”
The 178th Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, from June 21 to 24.
More than 6,500 animals will be showcased at the event, which generates tens of millions of pounds annually for the Scottish economy.