The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs’ (SAYFC) is not just for 14 to 30 year olds who work in or come from the agricultural sector and therefore it is a credit to the association that it continues to offer a varying programme to suit all interests.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why SAYFC is continuing to see an increase in its membership, recently announcing a growth of 8% over the last 12 months.
This is no more evident than at the Royal Highland Show which this year will see SAYFC focus on highlighting the many opportunities it offers rural youth in Scotland. The four-day event will see members turn out in the hundreds to be part of one of Scotland’s most prestigious events.
Clubs and districts who took part in the art and craft competition the weekend prior will be keen to see who was awarded the top prizes as the doors to the Young Farmers Centre open on Thursday.
This year’s theme for the seniors – Young Farmers of Today – asked members to put together an iPad/tablet cover, national Young Farmers hoody and a caricature of Scott Wilson, SAYFC’s national chairman.
While for the juniors, the theme of At the Races was all about the accessories you need on the day including a fascinator, clutch bag and floral display incorporating a horseshoe.
For those who took part in Catwalk Couture, a fitted women’s boilersuit will be evaluated for colour, material and style.
A Splash of Colour, judged by the team from BBC Landward, represents this year’s photography competition, looking for shots that capture the essence of the theme and highlights moments memorable to the photographer.
Last year saw the introduction of a craftsmanship competition allowing members to use their carpentry and welding skills to produce a final product.
Back for 2015, the freestanding bird table entries will occupy some of the centre, varying in size, shape and material. And that is all before the live competitions begin.
Outside, the Young Farmers Cook Off, supported by Scotmid, will be taking centre stage as members, supporters and key characters from the agricultural sector don an apron and put their cooking skills to the test to see whose scones rise the best, which individual has a decorative flair and which champion can produce the tastiest muffins.
In between these fun competitions, the national Ready Steady Country Cook competition will welcome the finalists from the east, west and north to use some of Scotland’s finest ingredients to produce a final dish that will be judged for flavour and creativity.
Over in the MacRobert theatre clean cuts and smooth strokes will be required to take home the Sheep Shearing Trophy. This is something that has been of importance to the association in recent months with the British Wool Marketing Board providing training courses for inexperienced members so they gain a better understanding of the correct skills required to support them when working with their own stock.
The Farming Challenge, supported by RHASS, will increase from six to 10 activities this year using items and scenarios that could be found on the farm to stretch the imagination of those who take to the cattle ring to compete. The three teams will be representing each of SAYFC’s regions (east, west and north) so there is sure to be plenty of rivalry.
The stockmanship programme, sponsored by north-east animal-feed giant Harbro, continues to be one of the highlights of the show with members of all ages coming together to grade stock after months of practice. The dairy category breeds will include Jersey and Ayrshire, for the beef Limousin and Blonde d’Aquitaine and for the sheep Texel and Bluefaced Leicester. Last year SAYFC member Ewan Orr, of Biggar YFC, was the second youngest winner, at 19, to pick up the trophy for Stockman of the Year – who will follow in his footsteps?
And of course the weekend would not be complete without the atmospheric tug o war competition supported by Hoggs of Fife.
As spectators cheer and provide encouragement, members dig in their heels and drive as one to bring the opposition over the half-way line. Come rain or shine this event draws the crowds and displays the passion of young farmers.
As a member-led organisation, SAYFC continues to listen to its members and bring in new competitions and initiatives to meet their demands.
This year’s the Royal Highland Show will see the national prime lamb dressing competition take place on the Sunday, instead of later in the year, which is fitting for one of the UK’s highest regarded livestock shows.
There will also be a bigger focus on past members, with their alumni Friends of Young Farmers offering a free young farmers cookbook worth £10 to every individual who signs up during the weekend. The opportunity to stay connected with members past and present is something that will continue to be enhanced and a reception on the Friday will provide an ideal platform to share memories.
We shouldn’t forget the Young Farmers Centre itself which transforms into a hive of activity with information and photographs. This year a wall dedicated to national, regional and district office-bearers will allow names to be put to faces, an interactive new members area will highlight where clubs are located and how to join, and the main wall will showcase activity from the last year with future opportunities. This will include training, international travel, agri and rural affairs, competitions and events to name just four topics.
And if the weekend isn’t already exciting enough, the association will use it as a platform to launch some of their new communications tools such as instructional videos and better online accessibility with interactive elements.
Head along to the Young Farmers Centre to find out more and become part of SAYFC, one of the largest rural youth movements in Scotland – whether you are a member, supporter, friend or family, there will something to interest you all. For more information visit www.sayfc.org
* Rebecca Dawes is the communications and rural affairs manager at SAYFC