Business Skills Award
AgriScot 2011 Business Skills Competition Winner
The second AgriScot Business Skills competition, sponsored by specialist feed additive producers Biocell agri, took place at this year’s AgriScot, with Donald Millar from Trailflat Farm, Lochmaben crowned as the winner.
Donald graduated from SAC in July this year and currently works on the family dairy farm. He is looking to pursue a career in agriculture either in management or as a consultant. During his time in Edinburgh, he was president of the Edinburgh Agrics’ Society and he reached the semi final stage of last year’s competition.
The Business Skills competition was introduced last year by AgriScot chairman, Andrew Moir, during his first year of office. Andrew is determined to involve the younger generation in AgriScot and reward students and young people from all parts of Scotland for their commitment to developing their business skills within all sectors of agriculture.
Andrew said:
“We’ve seen a great number of younger people coming through the doors of AgriScot today and that is encouraging. We really must nurture and support the younger generation if we are to give farming a secure and profitable future.
“Last year’s winners have done phenomenal things for the industry and I am delighted. Going forward I fully intend for this competition to reward more young people and demonstrate to them just what can be achieved when you put your mind to it. I’d love to see more girls coming through to the final and so hope we can encourage more of them to put themselves forward next year.”
Donald Millar, who wins £1,000 as well as the valuable kudos of winning, spoke of his achievement:
“I am surprised but really pleased to have won the Business Skills this year, against tough competition. I am told that my technical knowledge was what impressed the judges so I am delighted. I’m not yet sure exactly what my long-term ambitions will be, but I am sure that the credibility of having won this prize will be a great asset to me going forward. Everything I have learned throughout this process will stand me in good stead throughout my career.”
Sponsor Peter Gillard of Biocell agri said:
“Last year’s competition set an extraordinarily high benchmark for this competition. The 2010 winner has since won a much fought for tenancy as a new entrant and the runner up is now manager on an estate in Perthshire.
“What is encouraging is that this year’s finalists manage to hit the benchmark set last year and we’ve seen a super selection of young people come forward. It is so encouraging to see so many people keen to get involved in agriculture. Now that the competition is in its second year, it is gathering even greater recognition, cementing its success for the future.”
The Business Skills competition is organised by Bill Dingwall of the Scottish Agricultural College and has the support of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, as well as the land based colleges. All finalists faced a grilling from a panel consisting of Sandy Ramsay, SAC, John Kinnaird, AgriScot Director and Ian Hope, of Hayes McFarlane. Part of this examination saw the contestants being asked to evaluate one of the new products being launched at AgriScot.
