We have a new arrival to the Hamilton family. I became an auntie for the second time, with the safe arrival of Hugh William Hamilton, born Monday 27 November. All is well, and he is a lovely nephew.

That particular Monday also saw the farm win the Overall Christmas Show Champion at St Boswells Mart, where we supply prime butchers cattle for 52 weeks of the year.

A heifer by a Limousin sire took the top spot and sold to the judge, W Kirkup & Sons Butchers.

See also: PGRO adds 11 new pea and bean varieties to 2024 list

About the author

Annabel Hamilton

Annabel Hamilton farms 1,030ha of arable in the Scottish Borders with her parents. The arable area grows 65% winter and 35% spring crops. She is Basis and Facts qualified and runs a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. The farm finishes more than 300 Limousin cattle a year.  Follow Annabel on Twitter @annabelhami11

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An important date in my diary is the AgriScot event, which took place on the 22 November.

Held at The Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, it is one of the premier agricultural events of the year.

I became a director of AgriScot back in March 2022, and along with two others, judge the final round of the Business Skills Award on the show day.

This competition sees young people aged 18 to 25 take part in recognising the skills required to manage an agricultural business.

The three finalists work with mentors to prepare them for the final round, which involves reviewing a product from the product innovation finalists, as well as answering a plethora of questions from the judges. 

This is a fantastic competition that opens up young people to networks which can help with their personal and professional development, which I am all in favour of.

A huge congratulations to Ian Carlisle from Dumfries who took home the award.

It’s at this time of year we have started to look back on the season and see what we can do to improve the business as a whole.

Dad and I are always looking forward, and not ones to stand still.

Purchases have begun for next season, and as my husband put it: “There aren’t many women that buy a combine, a log splitter and a food shop in one day.”

So all in all, November ended on a high.