RBST host three Lantra accredited courses; Livestock Checkers, Conservation Grazing in Practice and an Advanced Conservation Grazing in Practice.
RBST is quality Assured by Lantra as an approved training provider. All three courses are accredited by Lantra and delivered by Lantra registered instructors. All delegates will receive a Lantra certificate after successful completion of the course.
RBST was one of the first organisations to recognise the conservation benefits of managed livestock grazing. As a result, we have an unparalleled degree of expertise and experience, and our long established courses have proven popular amongst a wide range of land managers in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Farmers and land managers aiming to manage land for conservation grazing should consider the benefits of using UK native breeds. Our native breeds were bred for the British landscape and were instrumental in creating many of the pastures and meadows we seek to conserve, so it makes sense to use those breeds in their conservation. In the UK, there is a significant level of diversity between species and also within species which enables the most beneficial breeds to be selected for each site.
These courses are essential for anyone involved in the use of livestock for the management or creation of habitats, whether in pastures, woodlands or wetlands.
This 1 day course provides a basic introduction to checking livestock and equines in the conservation/land-based sector. The course covers animal health and welfare, the key legislation, the role and responsibilities of a stock checker and how to safely and effectively check livestock. Make participants feel more confident in dealing with livestock and ensuring you feel confident in their ability to check livestock to the appropriate standard.
What will be covered? The course covers what is required when checking livestock and equines, the species covered include, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and equines. The role and responsibilities of the livestock checker and how these differ from those of the stock keeper. The objective of the course is to ensure candidates leave the course with the appropriate knowledge and confidence to safely and competently check livestock.
Who should attend? Ideal for beginners, volunteers or anyone involved in the livestock checking process.
This course is ONLY available for group bookings, of a minimum of 10 delegates and a maximum of 15 (group bookings to provide venue, livestock and catering). The course fee starts at £1,300+vat for a minimum of 10 delegates.
This 2 day course provides a basic introduction to extensive/conservation grazing and the use of livestock to achieve environmental objectives. The course covers grazing and grazing systems, different species and how they graze, animal health, welfare and behaviour, the key legislation, the different roles and responsibilities associated with livestock, health & safety and risk assessments and how to safely and effectively carry out livestock handling techniques.
The course consists of a mixture of indoor sessions alongside site visits, firstly looking at types of grazing and the infrastructure requirements, and another with some livestock handling and stock checking.
What will be covered? The aim is to provide delegates with the knowledge and skills required to successfully integrate the delivery of conservation objectives through grazing and land management with different species of livestock. This is alongside ensuring effective management of animal welfare and compliance with all the respective legal requirements.
Who should attend? The course is suitable for those already involved in conservation grazing and further their knowledge or those looking to move into the sector. The type of attendee can include but is not limited to land owners, farmers, graziers, smallholders, rangers, site managers, ecologists etc.
The course fee is £368+vat pp (includes lunch on both days for RBST open courses).
This course is also available for group bookings of a minimum of 10 delegates and a maximum of 15 (group bookings to provide venue, livestock and catering).
2-day course providing experienced graziers with a comprehensive insight into some of the more advanced aspects of conservation grazing, including grazing ecology, physiology and designing complex grazing strategies and systems.
The aim is to enable delegates to understand livestock and their role in conservation, as well as biodiversity management.
What will be covered? This course will provide delegates with the knowledge and skills required to increase their understanding of livestock and their role in conservation, particularly the importance of large herbivores in managing biodiversity and their influence on natural processes. There is a focus on different habitats and how livestock can be used in each of them. Delegates will gain an understanding of conservation grazing systems, how to identify the risks and benefits associated with grazing and develop an understanding of the complexities of grazing regimes and their application.
In addition, the course identifies the responsibilities and liabilities associated with keeping livestock, both towards the animals themselves in terms of promoting their health and welfare and towards the people with whom they come into contact, such as stock handlers and the public at large.
Who should attend? The course is suitable for any one who may have attended our introductory Conservation Grazing course and those already involved in conservation grazing looking to further enhance their knowledge. The type of attendee can include but is not limited to landowners, farmers, graziers, smallholders, rangers, site managers, ecologists etc.
The course fee is £399 +vat pp (includes lunch on both days for RBST open courses).
Note: All GAP courses will involve indoor and outdoor learning with some physical activity, such as stock handling and walking within close proximity to livestock.
A comprehensive training folder is provided to each delegate to take away with them. The folder contains; extensive Conservation Grazing/Livestock Checkers workbook, an in-depth information leaflet on ‘Purchasing Stock/Finding a Grazier’ and an informative document on ‘Developing a Grazing Policy’ (conservation grazing course) RBST branded USB stick containing additional valuable information on animal welfare, breed profile handbook, factsheets, useful Government and Voluntary sector contact information and other useful information leaflets. There is an open book test at the end of each course.
*There is a minimum age requirement of 18 years to attend GAP courses, or 16 years if attending with an appropriate parent, guardian or colleague.
Next Gap Course Dates:
Course Title: Advanced Conservation Grazing
Course Date: TBC April 2024
Course Venue:
Course Title: Conservation Grazing
Course Date: 19th & 20th March 2024
Course Venue: Sandwell Park Farm, Salters Lane, West Bromwich, B71 4BG
To book, or if you have any additional requirements or needs, have any general queries or are unsure of the suitability of the course, please call 02476 696551 or email [email protected]
Why not take a look at our comprehensive resource library?
What is conservation grazing?