Caithness woman elected as vice-chair for north region of young farmers

A CAITHNESS woman has been elected as the vice-chair of the North Region of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC).

Beth Douglas of the Bower Young Farmers was successfully nominated at the recent annual general meeting of the North Region. Sally Mair of Turriff &District Junior Agricultural Club (JAC) is the new chair, taking over from Sarah Mowat of Ross Sutherland JAC.

Beth said: "I have enjoyed every aspect of young farmers both competing and socialising across Scotland and I am really looking forward to working with Sally and the SAYFC team this year. I hope I can play a part in encouraging all members to get involved with as much as possible in their time in young farmers – stepping outside of your comfort zone can open the door to so many opportunities. I am excited to see what’s in store for the North Region this year."

Having shown a keen interest in farming from a young age helping her father show commercial cattle across the north show circuit, Beth went on to study agriculture at Craibstone and now works at Pulteney Distillery in Wick.

Sally works on the family farm near Turriff, focusing on pedigree and commercial breeding cattle along with breeding ewes.

She commented: "I am honoured to be elected as this year’s North Chair, and proudly represent our region. I have gained an enormous amount of friendships and training from Young Farmers over the years and I hope to build on this with the members throughout the year. With a full calendar of events back running last year I hope to build on these and have a fun competitive year ahead."

The North Participation and Recruitment Award Results for 2022/23 were announced during the meeting. The Participation Award for the club with the highest participation points in north competitions throughout the year were:

1, Bower YFC; 2, Forss YFC; 3, Udny JAC.

The Recruitment Award for the club with the highest percentage increase in membership from end of February 2021 to end of February 2023 was won by Ross Sutherland YFC.

The North Club of the Year Competition was also held recently with Strichen JAC and Bower YFC going through to the national finals.

The North Region Committee Caithness representatives are: John Forbes, Euan Bremner and William Campbell.

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