Young agricultural talent celebrated at Lantra Scotland awards

Agricultural apprentice Jakob Eunston, 19, was announced the overall winner of the agriculture category at the awards last Thursday, March 2, and agricultural apprentice Matthew Douglas received runner up.

Jakob is currently doing a modern apprenticeship SVQ level 3 and working as an apprentice farmer at Uradale Farm in Scalloway.

He said his plans for the future were to create a business where he butchered and sold the meat of his own livestock through an outlet in a ‘production to retail’ plan.

New skills

The host of the 2017 awards was TV presenter and farmer Adam Henson, who reminded the audience about the importance of investing in new skills to ensure a lasting future in Scotland’s food and drinks sector.

Mr Henson said: “It’s inspiring to see such talented people getting the support of employers and training providers as they start their careers within these key industries."

Other agricultural students who won at the awards were Matthew Douglas and agricultural student Katie Dubarry, joint winners of the CARAS (Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies), award.

Stephen Moore from Inverkip, won the land-based engineering award and Thomas Perfect was runner- up.

The equine learner of the year category was won by Cherise Halliburton, with Karla Purves as runner-up.

Alasdair Davidson was awarded the game and wildlife learner award, just ahead of Jacob Macdonald.

In the horticulture learner of the year award, John Boyd was announced winner and Brooke McKenzie as runner-up. Kati Michalek was the winner of the higher education learner award, and the runner-up was Megan Simpson.

Full List of Winners at the event were:

Overall Winner Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year:

• Emma Staniforth

Overall Runner-up Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year:

• Stuart MacKinlay

Modern Apprentice of the Year:

• Jack Fraser

Agriculture Learner of the Year:

• Winner: Jakob Eunson
• Runner-up: Matthew Douglas

Aquaculture Learner of the Year:

• Winner: Jack Fraser
• Runner-up: John Blance

Equine Learner of the Year:

• Winner: Cherise Halliburton
• Runner-up: Karla Purves

Fisheries Management and Environmental Conservation Learner of the Year:

• Winner: Stuart McKinlay
• Runner-up: Gill Walker

Game and Wildlife Learner of the Year:

• Winner: Alasdair Davidson
• Runner-up: Fraser MacDonald

Horticulture Learner of the Year:

• Winner: John Boyd
• Runner-up: Brooke McKenzie

Land-based Service Engineering Learner of the Year:

• Winner: Stephen Moore
• Runner-up: Thomas Perfect

Trees and Timber Learner of the Year:

• Winner: Emma Staniforth

• Runner-up: Matt Lingard

Higher Education Learner of the Year:

• Winner: Kati Michalek
• Runner-up: Megan Simpson

Secondary Schools Awards:

• Rural winners: Ullapool High School and Breadalbane Academy

CARAS Award Winners:

• Katie Dubarry
• Matthew Douglas

Jean’s Jam Award:

• Winner: David Olds of North Highland College UHI

Tam Tod Trophy

• Winner: Alasdair Davidson