The rural affairs secretary has forecast a "bright future" for sheep farming in Scotland.
Richard Lochhead is attending Scotsheep 2008 in the Borders, one of the biggest events on the agricultural calendar.
He said he recognised that it had been a "tough year" for the livestock sector, particularly with the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England.
However, he said that rising sheep prices meant there was cause for greater confidence in the industry.
With more than 150 stands and featuring 41 breeds, Scotsheep is Scotland's major sheep farming event.
Proceedings at Teviothead, near Hawick, were opened by the Duke of Buccleuch.
