The Royal Northern Spring Show is set to return next Wednesday, March 2, at Thainstone Agricultural College, Scotland.
The show is held by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS) every year and is the first major event in the Scottish farming calendar.
RNAS, founded in 1843 by farmers and landowners in northeast Scotland, is known for a range activities, including the Spring Show, as well as competitions for growing cereals and turnips. Its aim is to “improve agricultural production and the rural economy in all its branches”.
Over 100 organisations will be promoting their latest products and services at the show from 8:00a.m to 5:00p.m, and Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM) will hold a show and sale of pedigree bulls on the same day.
As part of the ongoing Art of Farming project, there will also be opportunities for visitors to learn about pottery from artist Nic Green, who will be encouraging farmers to design a tile which will be used within Thainstone Mart to mark ANM’s recent 150th anniversary.
It is hoped that 150 tiles will be produced by farmers at the show and will thereafter be displayed within the mart in recognition of the role agriculture plays in the community.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland will have a stand on the day with a theme centered around the importance of looking after mental and physical health.
NFU Scotland regional manager, Lorna Paterson commented: “Farming families can be significantly impacted by mental health issues because the industry is so demanding and risky – particularly at the moment.
“We acknowledge that all of the uncertainties around future agricultural policy, land use, rising input costs, and unknowns surrounding prices for produce compound the situation.
“The wider agricultural industry is also suffering as a result of these pressures, so it is important that we at NFU Scotland recognise these issues and keep raising awareness within political arenas and the press.”
Representatives from partners at Robert Gordon’s University, Aberdeenshire Council, and National Health Service (NHS) Grampian will be present throughout the day to meet with visitors.
NHS Grampian’s case manager from Working Health Services Scotland (WHSS), Lyndsay Hay, will be offering farmers access to six free counselling sessions and four free physiotherapy sessions. NFU Scotland encourages its members to avail of the service.
