Members of the agricultural community in the North-east have been recognised in this year’s Royal Northern Agricultural Society awards.

This year’s recipient of the P&J award, which is given to a public figure or personality for their services to agriculture, is Jim Royan, of The Old Steading, Pluscarden, who is the current Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Moray.

As well as his sterling service to his local community in a variety of capacities, Mr Royan is particularly recognised for his 17 years as a commissioner of the Meat and Livestock Commission and as launch chairman of Farm Assured Scotch Livestock – Europe’s first farm quality assurance scheme.

Winner of the Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ award for service on a more local basis goes to Sandra Buchan Lyons, principal science teacher at Kemnay Academy, whose husband, Andrew Lyons farms at North Auchmachar, Mintlaw.

Mrs Lyons was recognised for her work in fostering a farming and countryside group for interested pupils at the school and planning and coordinating the hugely popular Kemnay Academy Country Show.

Haulage contractor Doug Mitchell, from Mearns, is this year’s recipient of the Argo family’s Unsung Hero award, after a near record number of citations on Mr Mitchell were submitted to the panel. A popular figure with his customers, Doug (77) still drives to this day, currently delivering grain, rapeseed and peas from Mearns farms to customers all over Scotland, although son Clive, now runs the business.

The winner of the 35 Years and Under award, sponsored by Scotland’s Rural College, is Huntly pig farm manager Chloe Shorten. This award is given to a person in that age group who has shown significant achievement and contribution to agriculture.

Ms Shorten (22) manages Jim Innes’ 1100-sow indoor pig unit at Dunscroft, Huntly, alongside studying at SRUC for an agricultural degree.

The 2021 RNAS agricultural student awards, sponsored by Johnston Carmichael, go to Abbie McGillivray, of East Auchavaich, Chapeltown, Ballindalloch; Isla Dickie-Moir, Muirfield House, Auchnagatt; and Lewis Grieve, Pineview, Meikle Whiterashes, Turriff. for the RNAS agricultural apprentice award.

All hese awards will be presented at the society’s annual awards lunch at the Jury’s Inn, Aberdeen Airport, on Friday, November 5.

Due to last year's RNAS awards lunch being cancelled, last year’s student and apprentice winners will be acknowledged this year. The 2020 winners for the RNAS agricultural student awards were Ian Armstrong, Brae Farm, Kintore; Anna Duncan, 34 Meadowview Road, Turriff; and Robert Clarke, 9 Dunnichen Road, Kingsmuir, Forfar, for the RNAS agricultural apprentice award.