Optimism and uncertainty at Royal Northern Spring Show at Thainstone Mart in Inverurie as farmers navigate tough times

A sunny day at the end of February in Aberdeenshire is hopefully a sure sign that spring is on its way.

An apt time then for the annual Royal Northern Spring Show at Thainstone Mart in Inverurie, which attracted hundreds of farmers from across Scotland this week and boasted record entrants for some showing classes.

It’s the first agricultural show of the season in the north-east and is a key fixture for the sector.

Show president Cameron MacIver told STV News: “It’s good to get out again after a long winter season and this show is really a good place to do business for the season ahead.

“Deals are made and discussed today that will help farmers in the months ahead.”

Although the weather wasn’t as severe as some, this winter brought its own challenges for the sector.

Thousands took part in protests across the country, from Orkney to London, against Labour’s proposed changes to inheritance tax.

Farmers say those changes have come on top of punishing times for the sector, and they haven’t ruled out potential food shortages in the months ahead.

Robert Neill is the recently appointed vice president for the National Farmers Union for Scotland he said: “We will be pushing hard to make sure our voices are heard, food security needs to be at the top of the agenda, when supermarket shelves are bare, we’re going to have a problem and at that point it’s too late.”

When asked on how likely he thought that scenario was, he replied: “It really wouldn’t surprise me.

“The pressures that are put on us, the costs are crippling, and we’re not getting the fair return we deserve.

“Farmers are coming out of business, land is coming out of production, and although production is down the population is rising and they need to eat.”

But today there was some optimism, particularly around the record prices cattle have been fetching at market.

Dozens of the best cows, sheep and horses were on display at the show, with farmers hoping to fetch more good prices for their animals in the season to come.

Michael James Roberston spent hours getting his best heifers and bull ready for the show, and as we set up the interview, they were busy being brushed and blow dried to perfection.

He said: “We’ve got three Limousin cross heifers, and a Limousin cross bullock.

“I would think the prices will remain high, the way they’ve been going for fat cattle, the prices I hope they will stay high.

“That would definitely help us make a return on our livestock, we’re based in Tomintoul where the costs are high for keeping cattle because you have to buy in the feed you can’t grow.”

A sunny day at the start of the growing season, farmers are hoping for more fair weather in the weeks to come.