Latest news with #SAYFC
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
The final farming battle at Royal Highland Show
The SAYFC Tug of War (tow) finale is one of the most exciting and energy filled events at the Royal Highland Show and requires great teamwork. It involves power, passion and dedication to training ahead of the regional qualifiers. Competition this year was so fierce that neither of last year's winning teams qualified for the final. Saturday saw a ring of highly motivated young farmers donning their colourful #pullingfortheteam shirts. Winning the battle of physical and mental strength in this years ladies competition was Strathbogie JAC from Aberdeenshire, who stepped up a place on last year, with Avondale YFC from Lanarkshire taking second and Callander YFC, Perthshire, taking the third spot. The gents' event was won by Strathearn JAC from Perthshire, with Lesmahagow YFC, Lanarkshire taking second place and in third, were Deveron & Speyside YFC in Aberdeenshire. Prizes at the event were presented by the sponsors Davidson & Robertson, represented by Graduate Surveyor Vicky Haddow, whose family has a long involvement with the tug of war competition. Vicky said: 'It's brilliant to represent the company today - supporting young farmers is something I'm very passionate about, both in my role at D&R and as the current Chairwomen of Lesmahagow YFC. "My Dad has coached the TOW team for nearly a decade, so I fully understand the commitment and dedication that goes into training for this competition.' The club was represented in the tow finals by their gents team who came second. Jillian Kennedy, Chair of the SAYFC, expressed heartfelt appreciation for Davidson & Robertson's continued support and said: "Having Davidson & Robertson back with us this year has been fantastic. Their support not only makes the event possible but their enthusiastic backing in the run up and on the day creates a real atmosphere of excitement and anticipation amongst members. It's partnerships like this that help showcase the strength and spirit of Scotland's rural youth." Commenting on their win in the gents competition the team said: "Unbelievable, all of a sudden it was just all over and kind of a bit surreal to be honest. We've been here 8 times: we've been third four years ago, second two years ago, and yeah, can't really believe it to be honest." Strathbogie Quines (ladies) team coach David Mackenzie said:"I'm absolutely delighted. The league went well, and we had a good hard final. The quines have been training hard for it the last few months. Last year they came second, and the year before they came third so a slow progression. The quines stuck in well." Summing up the day Vicky said: 'The next generation of young people in our industry are dedicated and determined which was demonstrated by every participant today. It also highlights that our industry stands in good stead for future challenges we face.' 1 . Contributed Coach Ewan Aitken jumps for joy as Strathearn JAC gents win the final pull Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 2 . Contributed Strathbogie JAC Ladies celebrate winning the tug of war sponsored by Davidson & Robertson Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 3 . Contributed Final pull for Strathbogie JAC ladies - event sponsored by Davidson & Robertson Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 4 . Contributed Full line up of finalists in the SAYFC Tug of War competition Photo: Submitted Photo Sales
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Young Farmers on the ropes in final farming battle
The SAYFC Tug of War (tow) finale is one of the most exciting and energy filled events at the Royal Highland Show and requires great teamwork. It involves power, passion and dedication to training ahead of the regional qualifiers. Competition this year was so fierce that neither of last year's winning teams qualified for the final. Saturday saw a ring of highly motivated young farmers donning their colourful #pullingfortheteam shirts. Winning the battle of physical and mental strength in this year's ladies competition was Strathbogie JAC from Aberdeenshire, who stepped up a place on last year, with Avondale YFC from Lanarkshire taking second and Callander YFC, Perthshire, taking the third spot. The gents' event was won by Strathearn JAC from Perthshire, with Lesmahagow YFC, Lanarkshire taking second place and in third, were Deveron & Speyside YFC in Aberdeenshire. Prizes at the event were presented by the sponsors Davidson & Robertson, represented by Graduate Surveyor Vicky Haddow, whose family has a long involvement with the tug of war competition. Vicky said: 'It's brilliant to represent the company today - supporting young farmers is something I'm very passionate about, both in my role at D&R and as the current Chairwomen of Lesmahagow YFC. My Dad has coached the TOW team for nearly a decade, so I fully understand the commitment and dedication that goes into training for this competition.' The club was represented in the tow finals by their gents team, who came second. Jillian Kennedy, Chair of the SAYFC, expressed heartfelt appreciation for Davidson & Robertson's continued support and said: "Having Davidson & Robertson back with us this year has been fantastic. Their support not only makes the event possible but their enthusiastic backing in the run up and on the day creates a real atmosphere of excitement and anticipation amongst members. It's partnerships like this that help showcase the strength and spirit of Scotland's rural youth." Commenting on their win in the gents competition, the team said: "Unbelievable, all of a sudden it was just all over and kind of a bit surreal to be honest. We've been here 8 times: we've been third four years ago, second two years ago, and yeah, can't really believe it to be honest." Strathbogie Quines (ladies) team coach David Mackenzie said:"I'm absolutely delighted. The league went well, and we had a good hard final. The quines have been training hard for it the last few months. Last year they came second, and the year before they came third so a slow progression. The quines stuck in well." Summing up the day, Vicky said: 'The next generation of young people in our industry are dedicated and determined, which was demonstrated by every participant today. It also highlights that our industry stands in good stead for future challenges we face.' 2 . Contributed Deveron & Speyside YFC gentgs came third Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 3 . Contributed Strathearn Gents receive prizes from Davidson & Robertson's Vicky Haddow Photo: Submitted Photo Sales Related topics: Aberdeenshire
Press and Journal
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Best pictures from Young Farmers' Highland Rally
Young Farmers from across the north gathered for their annual Highland Rally in Muir of Ord this weekend. All members of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs (SAYFC), they got together to put their baking, handicrafts, stock judging and sports skills to the test. Friendly rivalry was much in evidence at the Black Isle Showground. Electricity firm SSEN ran a risk assessment event as part of the rally. SAYFC members were encouraged to consider potential risks and ways to avoid them. The stock judging competition had a record number of entries, more than 160. There was also knot tying, first aid skills and a joinery competition. In the afternoon, members competed in tossing the sheaf, football and tug o' war competitions. It's always a great day for the Highland clubs to get together and have a well-earned catch up, which is what it's all about.
Press and Journal
29-04-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Meet the first woman in top Scottish agriculture role at Royal Bank of Scotland
Emma Cowie is just a few months into her job as the face of Royal Bank of Scotland's agriculture offering north of the border. It marries her career in fiance with her passion for farming. She's also breaking new ground as the first woman to head up the bank's agricultural activities in Scotland. Not bad for someone who was once bluntly told it was a role for men. I'm a farmer first and a banker second.' She certainly knows her way around a farm, 'I'm a farmer first and a banker second,' the 53-year-old told me. Her day job has become even busier since she took over the bank's Scottish agricultural remit from Roddy McLean. Roddy retired at the end of last year. But she's still an active farmer, with that part of her life having been nurtured during childhood days on her dad's croft. He worked for one of the local feed companies, but also kept some livestock. Her close relationship with agriculture cranked up a gear after she got married. Emma and her husband, Peter, a fourth generation farmer, keep sheep and cattle at Carlincraig, near Turriff. When she's not helping others in the industry with their finances, Emma's usually to be found helping out on the farm. She's recently been lending a hand with the lambing, for example. Other family members chip in too, Emma said, adding: 'It's a real team effort.' Sheep farming is the mainstay at Carlincraig, but there's also a small herd of suckler cows. It's obviously a busy workload for the Royal Bank's associate director for agriculture in Scotland. But the combination of a banking career and life on the farm seems to work. She's been with the bank – now part of NatWestGroup – for 26 years in all, helping to 'add value for customers'. Ian Burrow, head of agriculture at NatWest, said: 'Emma's appointment really strengthens the support we can give our agriculture customers in Scotland. 'She is in the unique position of having more than two decades of banking experience with Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as a lifetime spent in farming. 'She understands the opportunities the sector can provide and what we as a bank can do to help those businesses grow. Specialist knowledge is invaluable. 'We remain the largest lender to the sector in Scotland, and as we prepare for this year's Royal Highland Show it is great to have Emma in place.' Emma's a former pupil of Turriff Academy. She joined the bank in 1999 as a relationship manager. In September 2023 she became associate director, credit delivery, corporate and commercial mid-market, an Aberdeen-based role which she held until earlier this year. Away from home and work, she's always keen to get involved with the Scottish Association of Young Farmer's Clubs (SAYFC) and its activities, including the annual Young Farmer of the Year competition. Explaining her enthusiasm for this in a social media post following an SAYFC awards night last year, she said: 'The Scottish Association of Young Farmers; Clubs is such a fantastic organisation, providing a number of opportunities for young people to thrive and grow.' Her CV reveals another role of which she's equally proud – that of Women in Business ambassador. She told us she is thrilled to be the first woman to head up the Royal Bank's agricultural activities in Scotland. But the identity of whoever it was told her this could never happen remains a mystery. Emma, who was promoted to her current role in February, will have a high-profile role at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh in June. The Royal Bank has been a title sponsor of Scotland's leading agricultural event for more than 40 years. The prestigious tie-up is the longest partnership in the bank's history. The bank continues to support agricultural charity RSABI. And since 2017 it has been heavily involved in the Women in Agriculture group. This provides mentors and specialist support to help equip women with the tools they need to counter some of the barriers they face in their careers. In customer-facing roles, the bank has specialist advisers working as agricultural relationship managers able to understand the unique needs of land-based businesses. One-third of these are women. All of them draw on farming experience and some are farmers themselves. Further learning is done via a training partnership with Edinburgh University, keeping them up to date on best practice in areas such as sustainability. The Royal Bank claims to be the largest supporter to the agriculture sector in Scotland. although it doesn't publish figures. 'But more than one in three bank with us', a spokesman said. The wider NatWest Group has supported the UK agricultural sector for more than 200 years. Highlighting its ongoing commitment to farmers on its website, the group says: 'We support a wide range of business models, from traditional to vertical farming, and the agritech that increasingly supports the sector.' NatWest is also working with so working with conservation charity WWF-UK to bring together UK Government, food companies, farming organisations, financiers and non-governmental organisations to focus on financial and practical ways to support farmers. This includes incentives for farmers to collect data and the adoption of common metrics across the industry
