Organisers say this year’s AgriScot is still scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 18 with expectations the event will be staged as normal.
AgriScot chairman Robert Neill said: “We are desperately sorry for events including the Royal Highland Show that have had to take the unavoidable decision to cancel. The absence of summer shows will be keenly felt by the farming community.
We hope that by the time AgriScot takes place in November the event can play a part in life and business returning to some form of normality.
“Planning is proceeding on that basis and the portal for trade exhibitor online applications will be opened in May.
“We have already been working behind the scenes on plans for AgriScot 2020 and indeed for future years, and we are delighted to announce that we have recently signed a five-year agreement with the Royal Highland Centre team to ensure that AgriScot can continue to utilise the first-class facilities at Ingliston.”
Livestreaming
However, Neill explained that the 2020 show may incorporate even more digital elements than in previous years.
“The current situation regarding Covid-19 has focussed our minds on how we can further reach out to audiences who may be unable to physically attend the event for any reason,” he said.
Over the past four or five years, our live-streaming from the AgriScot ring, mainly of the cattle judging and farm of the year award presentations, has been extremely well received by audiences as far afield as Canada.
“This technology opens up opportunities for us to live-stream further elements of the event and even, should circumstances deem it necessary, to provide an established platform to stage the seminars and other elements of the event in a ‘virtual’ fashion.”
Farm of the Year awards
AgriScot is one of the highlights of the Scottish winter agricultural sector. Several of the industry’s biggest awards – such as the farm of the year awards are presented annually at the event.
Neill explained the current restrictions meant there could be changes to this year’s judging process.
“The AgriScot directors, along with our award sponsors and supporters will continue to monitor the situation and we will look to launch the awards in the early summer,” he said.
There will be many farming businesses stepping up to the plate too, for example, to directly support or supply their local communities, and I would hope that these are recognised when the awards open for nominations.
“We are a big and diverse family at AgriScot, from farming directors to widely scattered trade exhibitors to sponsors, supporters, cattle exhibitors and regular visitors.
“I hope everyone will stay safe and well and I sincerely look forward to welcoming everyone along to AgriScot on November 18.”
