Farmers heading to this year’s Royal Highland Show will be able to put questions on food production, carbon audits and climate policy to a line-up of farmers, scientists and industry figures.
The Scottish Farmer in association with the James Hutton Institute will host two debates at 10am on Thursday, June 18, and Friday, June 19, at The Scottish Farmer stand on Avenue Q.
The sessions are being held during the year Scotland marks 300 years since the birth of James Hutton. Hutton was born in Edinburgh on June 3, 1726, and is widely known as the father of modern geology. His work on soils, rocks and deep time gives the debates a fitting link to the questions now being asked about land use.
Thursday’s debate will ask if Scottish farmers are given an impossible task when asked to grow crops and rear livestock whilst saving the planet? The event hosted by Scottish Farmer editor John Sleigh will hear from the speakers on the future of farming in a changing climate. Attendees will hear how soil health, rotations, livestock systems, input costs and pest and disease pressure all have a part of play in modern farming.
Alison Younger, from Old Leckie Farm near Gargunnock, Stirlingshire, will bring the view from a mixed family farm. She and her family run 300 acres,
with sheep, cattle, pigs, free-range hens, eggs, meat and vegetables sold from the farm.
She will be joined by Dr Keith Dawson, a crop specialist and international farmer with experience in cereals, vegetables and large-scale production in the UK and overseas. Dr Dawson has also spoken publicly about the pressures facing farms in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. The audience will hear from Dr Dawson on the challenges of farming in the shadow of war.
Dr Alison Karley, an agroecologist at the James Hutton Institute, will also take part. Her research covers integrated cropping systems, crop diversification and integrated pest and disease management.
Friday’s Big Debate will move to climate policy and the carbon pressures now landing at farm level. It will ask whether farmers are being asked to do too much or if there is more that needs to be done?
Scottish Government figures published in June 2026 put Scottish agricultural emissions at 7.5m tonnes CO2e in 2024. Emissions from the sector have fallen by 13.7% since 1990, but the fall is far smaller than Scotland’s overall emissions reduction of 50.5% over the same period. The Government also says the long-term fall in agricultural emissions has been largely driven by fewer cattle and sheep. Can this be sustainable for the nations livestock industry?
That will feed into a question many farmers are already asking: how should the industry be recognised and rewarded for efficiency, stewardship and the carbon work it is being asked to take on?
Carbon audits are no longer a distant policy idea. Under Whole Farm Plan guidance, every farmer and crofter in Scotland who wants to receive Scottish Government agricultural support will need to have the applicable audits and plans in place by May 15, 2028.
MEET THE SPEAKERS | We have Keith Dawson, Alison Younger and Dr Alison Karley on Thursday at 10 am, and Neil Shand, Andrew McCornick, John Goffin and Dr Mark Wilkinson on Friday at 10am.
Leading Friday’s discussion will be Andrew McCornick, former NFU Scotland president and a Dumfriesshire livestock farmer. Mr McCornick is no stranger to the climate debate as he believes we need to challenge net zero assumptions and questions if farming is responsible for much it is blamed for.
He will be joined by Neil Shand, chief executive of the National Beef Association and Scottish Beef Association, who has warned against replacing domestic beef production with imports. Mr Shand is calling for more cows to feed the domestic demand.
Dr Mark Wilkinson, co-director of the Hutton’s Climate-Positive Farming Initiative at Glensaugh, will bring research on nature-based ways to deal with floods, drought and other weather pressures. The Glensaugh work includes smart water management, renewable energy and agroforestry.
John Goffin, chief commercial officer at Kana Earth, will add the carbon and natural capital market view. His background is in financial trading and consultancy, and he is now a landowner with a diversified regenerative agri-business.
His role will give farmers the chance to ask direct questions about carbon credits, biodiversity credits, natural capital contracts and what to look for before signing up to a scheme.
Mr Goffin has also worked on the Fife Environment Bank, a public-private project looking at a local supply of biodiversity net gain and carbon credits to support investment in nature restoration and regenerative agriculture.
Scottish Government advisers have also warned that soil carbon and natural capital markets need sound baselines, monitoring, transparency, additionality and permanence if they are to avoid greenwashing and give confidence to land managers and buyers.
The two debates are free to attend for Royal Highland Show visitors. Places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Farmers, crofters and anyone with an interest in food, land use or climate policy are advised to arrive early.
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