Falkirk based cattle livery winner, Richard Rettie, has been chosen as the recipient of the David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award at Agri Expo 2024.

One of the UK's most successful and respected pedigree livery experts who has a unique reputation for his dedication in preparing cattle for the UK's most prestigious show rings, has been awarded the 2024 David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Richard was presented with this coveted award by Managing Director Scott Donaldson in the main show ring during this year's Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 1^st November.

Richard is the fourth recipient of this award created by Harrison & Hetherington in 2021 to recognise a lifetime's commitment and accomplishment within the livestock farming industry, following David Thomlinson's untimely death in a tragic accident. The award commemorates David's life by celebrating a kindred spirit ­– a passionate livestock farmer and an exemplary role model within the industry.

From a farming family with a long tradition of pedigree livestock showing success, Richard Rettie has been associated with some of the UK's most respected cattle breeders and leading bloodlines throughout this career in the industry.

In announcing the recipient, the judges responsible for the almost impossible task of choosing this year's award agreed fully with the summary in his nomination: "Richard is a master at his profession. He has earned the trust of the pedigree cattle industry throughout the UK and has a vast number of Customers who rely on his ability to produce Pedigree Cattle to the animal's full potential.

"He is always the first to credit his wife, Carol for making their success possible, and we all hope very much that they will continue to push the standards of showing ever higher and with ever greater success. They support the industry and the agricultural community, and they are a wonderful inspiration to the next generation of breeders and showers."

Since establishing himself as a leading freelance 27 years ago, Richard has become synonymous with the highest standards of preparation and skill in showing pedigree cattle to their very best advantage and winning the admiration and goodwill of the livestock showing world with their modesty, helpfulness and good humour.

His first breed win came in 2006 with Beef Shorthorn cow, Holmeere Georgia Rose, for Mark Holmes. In 2007, the same team won again with Holmeere Alastair and a year later their season was dominated by champion stockbull Cairnsmore Thrasher.

As well as winning the Great Yorkshire with Cairnsmore Thrasher in 2008, Richard was also presented with the John Miller Perpetual Challenge Trophy at the Royal Highland Show, awarded to the Stockperson who makes the best presentation of their stock and the greatest contribution to fostering goodwill in the stock lines.

Over 20 years at the Royal Highland Show, Richard's Dyke Farm team have produced two Hereford champions, six Beef Shorthorns, including the World Shorthorn Congress in 2010, one Aberdeen Angus (home-bred, but brought out for Donald Rankin, from Skye), and reserve Angus twice, once from their own herd, with a Lincoln Red bull.

In 2019 Richard brought out two National show champions at the Great Yorkshire Show, together with reserve champion Aberdeen Angus and reserve junior champion with their own home-bred. 2024 highlights so far include winning the Breed Championship with a Beef Shorthorn heifer for Tom McMillan at both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows, and numerous Championships at one day shows including Perth and Turriff.

Now the David Tomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the outstanding contribution Richard Rettie has made to the livestock industry, and the values that he has embodied throughout his career.

Richard was overcome by this completely unexpected accolade and said: "David Tomlinson was a mentor and an inspiration to me early in my career, and this is a very great honour to receive his award for doing something that I love. It makes me feel old, but I am absolutely overcome to have received such a prestigious award."

Former recipients of this award have been;

2023 - George Neill of Thornington Farm in the Scottish Borders

2022 - Cumbrian farmer, John Hall of Inglewood Edge Farm

2021 - John Gent Newark based farmer and auctioneer