Search for best arable farm in Scotland

The hunt is on to find the best arable farm in Scotland.

Anyone working in the arable sector is asked to nominate “inspiring and innovative arable farmers” for this year’s AgriScot Scottish Arable Farm of the Year award.

The award, which is organised by AgriScot and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), aims to demonstrate best practice in sustainable crop production and farm business management.

Entries will be judged by 2018 winner Donald Ross, who farms at Rhynie, and AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds board member and Laurencekirk farmer Andrew Moir.

“We’ve got some brilliant arable farmers in Scotland so I’m sure we’ll see some fantastic entries this year,” said Mr Ross.

“I found the whole process really helpful as it makes you look over your business and think about how you manage it and where you excel.

“Farmers can nominate themselves, but they may not feel confident enough, so I would really urge others in the industry to put forward names of those farmers they really respect and admire.”

Nominated farmers fill out an application form which focuses on areas such as crop management, soil health and agronomy, market planning and policy, and innovation and technology.

A shortlist of three will then be chosen by the judges, who will visit each farm in autumn before making their final decision.

The winner of the award will be revealed at the AgriScot farm event at Ingliston, Edinburgh, on November 20.

They will receive a bespoke precision farming package from SoilEssentials.

Anyone interesting in submitting a nomination should contact chris. leslie@ahdb.org.uk

The winner will receive a bespoke precision farming package from SoilEssentials.