Katrina Macarthur

Agricultural Journalist at Freelance

Farming Editor at The Press and Journal

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Articles

Simmental breeders to put on largest show in the breed at Turriff

Jul 24, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

Turriff Show is gearing up to welcome the biggest entry of Simmental cattle in the UK next month when it will host the Scottish Simmental Club’s National Show. An impressive 100 head of Simmentals from 21 of Scotland’s top breeders are destined for the event, with cattle set to appear from herds as far afield as Caithness and East Lothian.
Suffolk ram lambs reach 40,000gns at society sale in Lanark

Jul 19, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

Tup sale season got underway at Lanark yesterday when Lawrie and Symington hosted the Suffolk Sheep Society’s Scottish show and sale. Of the 164 ram lambs forward, 144 sold to new homes to average £2,634.11 with five gimmers levelling at £1,732.50. Iain and Judith Barbour’s Annan-based Solwaybank flock proved popular, selling to 40,000gns, 25,000gns and 6,000gns.
Better support needed for islands' agricultural communities

Jul 19, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is calling on the Scottish Government to make use of evidence from its new report in support of those farming on islands when it comes to policy decisions. The report – Rural and Agriculture Development: Maximising the potential in the islands of Orkney, Shetland and Outer Hebrides – has highlighted the unique role agriculture plays in island life.
Katrina Macarthur: Goodbye for now, from the farming editor

Jul 19, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

Nineteen months have passed by in a flash as farming editor of The Press & Journal and so too has the countdown to maternity leave. I’m sitting writing this on Thursday in preparation for my last farming supplement before I finish up for one year and enter another chapter in my life. There’s some rare sunshine in the sky and the air generally feels like we’re in July, not October – what a welcome boost for all, including those with four legs.
More than 1,600 livestock and horses destined for Black Isle Show 2024

Jul 19, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

The countdown is on for the biggest agricultural event in the north of the country – the Black Isle Show at Muir of Ord on Wednesday July 31 and Thursday August 1. As a firm favourite in the calendar for many of the Highland area’s farmers and crofters, the event also draws in others in the industry from all over Scotland including a line-up of top livestock judges.
Cameron MacIver appointed president of Royal Northern Agricultural Society

Jul 19, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

A farmer from Morayshire is the new president of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS). Cameron MacIver of Wester Coltfield, Kinloss, near Forres, was appointed the top role at the society’s recent 179th annual general meeting at Thainstone. He farms 430 acres, most of which is turned over to produce malting barley for selling to local co-operative Highland Grain, which Cameron is a former director of.
Ben Lowe: Boyhood dream ticked off buying tractor at Highland Show

Jul 18, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

I am writing this column when the north-east is currently in a yellow warning zone from the Met Office and it is too wet for me to venture over to the rain gauge to see how much water has fallen so far. I’m sure the readers must get fed up with every farmer making an opening statement about how busy life has been, how the weather has hampered them but come on summer, where are you?
Judith Stephen: Incorporating life coaching into agriculture

Jul 15, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

Life coaching may not be a familiar term used in farming but it is something which Aberdeenshire farmer’s wife Judith Stephen believes many in the industry could benefit from. Judith, who formally qualified as a life coach three years ago, farms with her husband and two sons near Fettercairn, and knows all too well the highs and lows of working in the agricultural industry.
Eilish Johnston: Everyone is welcome in SAYFC

Jul 15, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

Each month, we catch up with an SAYFC member in the north region. This time round, we hear from Eilish Johnston, a member of Nairn JAC, who is also the current secretary of the Ross-shire, Nairn and Inverness (RNI) Young Farmers District. She tells us how her passion for the agricultural industry has grown despite growing up in a non-farming family. What’s your background? I grew up on the outskirts of Edinburgh in a non-farming family.
Hereford happiness at Echt Show for the Poyser family

Jul 15, 2024 | pressandjournal.co.uk | Katrina Macarthur

Pedigree Hereford cattle could almost be a rare breed in the north of Scotland, but at Echt Show, where an impressive bull took the event by storm to win the inter-breed beef honours and the overall champion of champions. Taking all the plaudits was the three-year-old bought in bull, Milovaig 1 Vindicator, from Martin Poyser and daughters, Maisie, Molly and Hope, New Aberdour, Fraserburgh.