Keynote speakers announced for 2025 RBST Scotland native breeds event

This full-day event, themed 'Native Breeds: Their Role in Scotland’s Agricultural Future', will bring together farmers, smallholders, retailers, policymakers and conservationists to explore how rare and native breeds can support sustainable and regenerative farming.

Jane Cooper, champion of the Boreray sheep and founder of the 'Lost Flock' in Orkney

Keynote speakers:

Lynn Cassells – Co-owner of Lynbreck Croft in the Highlands, a regenerative farm with Highland cattle and native pigs. Lynn leads on conservation, marketing and finance.

Jane Cooper – Founder of the ‘Lost Flock’ of rare Boreray sheep in Orkney. Jane is pioneering a community-focused approach to native breed farming.

Jan McCourt – RBST trustee and native produce expert. Jan farms native livestock and runs a well-known farm shop on the Rutland/Leicestershire border.

RBST Scotland Co-ordinator Alice Lennox says: “We are thrilled to announce these fantastic keynote speakers for the RBST Scotland Native Breeds Conference in July 2025. We are in a time of great opportunity for people involved with native breed farming and produce, they are the ideal breeds for agriculture where sustainable food production goes hand in hand with supporting the natural environment, biodiversity and resilience.

"We are looking forward to bringing together Scotland’s sustainable farming leaders at the conference to discuss how to maximise these opportunities in practice, to identify solutions to shared challenges, and to create crucial opportunities for collaboration.”

Jan McCourt, native breed advocate and RBST trustee, bringing experience from farm to market

What’s on:

Live butchery demo: Euan Simpson (Balcaskie Estate) will demonstrate traditional skills using a Tamworth pig.

Food: Enjoy breakfast and lunch made with Shetland beef and Hebridean hogget from Guardswell Farm.

Expert panels: Topics include native breeds in climate-friendly farming, market demand, and policy. Speakers include:

• Sam Parsons (Balcaskie Estate Manager)
• Colleen McCulloch (Soil Association Scotland)
• Rebecca McLellan (RBST Scotland chair, Chocflock)
• David Braithwaite (Hebridean sheep breeder)
• James Playfair-Hannay (NFUS, Playfair Farms)

Tickets:

Open to both members and non-members. Full programme and booking details at rbstscotland.org