AgriScot, the UK’s premier agricultural business event, has recorded the highest attendance in its 24-year history as well as a significant increase in participation in their Dairy Classes, Silage and Business Skills Competitions.
Welcoming close to 12,000 visitors, with over 240 trade stands, the event continues to be recognised as the largest indoor event of its kind in Scotland.
The event demonstrated a packed programme, including a full seminar with Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity of Scotland, announcing additional funding for the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) taking it to £21.4 million across over 1,600 applicants.
In his speech, he said “The scheme was competitive, with over 7,700 applications worth in excess of £77 million. I know there will be many who applied who will have been disappointed not to be successful in this round. There is no getting away from that. Going forward we will review the scheme to better understand what worked and where improvement could be made, to ensure it is more tightly targeted for any future rounds of the scheme.
“Officials have also undertaken further assurance checks on the assessment of applications for FFIS. As a result of those checks, areas designated as Common Grazings have been removed when verifying the total area of land occupied by a crofting business for assessment purposes. We have also added a further source of data to verify Organic Certification and therefore determine eligibility. Officials have revalidated those further applications following these assurance checks and will now be able to issue a further 122 offers of grant, mainly to crofting and island businesses.”
Innovation and planning for the future remained at the heart of the event, with AgriScot’s Business Skills Winner demonstrating a strong understanding of the industry and the requirements to adapt to deliver a profitable farming business. Won by Rachel Baillie from South Lanarkshire, a fourth-year student studying Agricultural and Farm Business Management at Harper Adams University is from a mixed dairy and sheep farm just outside Carstairs, Rachel received a prize of £1,000, supported by Virgin Money. The competition, which is coordinated by SRUC, celebrated 15 years at AgriScot 2025 and included a special ceremony with all the winners.
Commenting on the win, Rachel said, “I’m really excited to have won the AgriScot Business Skills Award. It’s really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I found it particularly interesting to learn other people’s opinions and views. I’ve picked up so many new skills and lots of knowledge on everything from global issues to finances on the farm.”
With a spotlight on cost-effective precision technologies, the Product Innovation Award went to Eadie Bros and Co. Ltd for their compound-lever plier, used for lamb castrations. The tool aims to increase better welfare by significantly reducing the level of pain at castration and tail docking, by 90%.
Livestock was also key to the live interactive demonstrations, showcasing the options for on-farm efficiencies. The Sheep Game’s Cammy Wilson, and Te Pari highlighted the Racewell handling system, an all in one-solution that is allowing businesses to reconsider what one person can achieve. Whilst the beef demonstration, hosted by SAC Consulting (part of SRUC) and Genus discussed how beef genetics are playing a pivotal role within dairy herds.
New this year was the Youngstock Dairy Classes, open to anyone between the ages of 5 and 30, encouraging the future and next generations. Judged as an interbreed and with 19 competitors, Joshua Atkinson and Joanne Coulthurst were awarded first prize for calves born 1st September 2024 to 28th February 2025, with Absolute Doorman Santorini. For calves born between 1st March 2024 and 31st August 2025, D&J Brewster and D Gray took the top spot with Whinchat Crown Royal Sara.
SuperHeifer 2025 went to Family Airey, with Newcroft Lambda Farida, and SuperCow 2025 was awarded to Evening Holsteins, with Evening Sidekick Jennifer.
Reflecting on his first year as AgriScot Chairman, Gilmour Lawrie said “AgriScot continues to be a highlight in the calendar for the agricultural industry, and our record visitor numbers demonstrate the importance of the event. By offering a platform to develop business, explore new innovations, hear the latest trends and opportunities during our seminars, and engage with policy, AgriScot has become an essential place to support future business decisions.
“I would like to thank all our sponsors and exhibitors, who help ensure we can continue to offer free entry and free parking, and to the volunteers and team who run the event. I am looking forward to welcoming all our visitors back in 2026.”
The 25th AgriScot will take place on Wednesday 18th November 2026.