The significance of Original Populations in native livestock conservation: A personal view Read more
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18th May 2022 Read more
RBST Consultancy Service With almost half a century’s experience of studying native livestock and equines, their behaviour and their impact on the natural environment, RBSTs expertise in the use and management of native breeds is second to none. Read more
From borrowing some exotic sheep to clear their smallholding to running a self-sufficient fleece flock has taken Sascha and Alex Docwra just four years. Now they not only keep and breed their own sheep, they supply breeding stock which is helping to establish new flocks of registered pedigree Leicester Longwools. Read more
16th May 2022 Read more
Macbeth’s Butchers of Forres is a family-run business specialising in traditional native breeds, much of it from the family’s own Edinvale Farm in upland Moray. The business was founded in the mid-1970s by Michael and Susan Gibson, who bought Macbeth’s Butchers in the 1980s to directly market the beef from the farm. In 2015, son Jock and his wife Fiona took over the farm and Jock also manages Macbeth’s. Read more
Jane Cooper established her breeding flock of Borerays with sheep gathered from three tiny flocks in the Highlands. In 2017, she discovered that this meant she was custodian of the last remnants of the ‘Lost Flock’ of Boreray sheep which represented a genetically unique sub-group of the breed. Read more
Orkney Boreray has given Norman and Hazel Shearer of Airy Farm, Stronsay, a new focus for their farming activities. Read more
Over recent years, an impressive number of rare breeds have made their way onto Slow Food UK’s Ark of Taste, indicating that they play an important part in food heritage and sustainability and that their products are the best of their kind. In 2020, Borerays resident on Orkney took this to another level, receiving a Slow Food Presidium Award. Read more
In 2021 the Albion Cattle Society celebrated its centenary – with good reason to celebrate. Since being added to the RBST Watchlist in 2018, demand for the breed has started to rise and, with the number of herds registering progeny increasing since then, this is a rare breed that is starting to head in the right direction. Read more
The key objective of the RBST Poultry Project is to achieve improved strains of stock and for this to be met, there must be a plan. The approach that has been agreed is based on a clan breeding system – something that may be new to many poultry breeders. Read more
The completion of a genomic characterisation study has revealed that the British Lop can be clearly defined as distinct from other native pig breeds. Read more
26th April 2022 Read more
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14th January 2022 Read more
In just over four years and on only 10 acres, Abi and Josh Heyneke have succeeded in setting up a commercial farming operation from scratch and, at the same time, are contributing to the ongoing survival of the Welsh Harlequin, one of our rarest breeds of duck. Read more
Considering keeping ducks? Read more
Sarah Dusgate and Rob Havard of Phepson Angus point to a way of ensuring that native breeds are relevant in the 21st century. Read more
Old Hall Farm could provide the blueprint for anyone wanting to build a small-scale dairy business which offers something different, showcasing the quality of milk produced by our native dairy – or even dual-purpose – breeds. Read more
Is keeping native cattle something you are considering? There are many elements to consider. Read more
Covid 19 has caused many people to re-evaluate the way they live their lives. For two RBST members in Lancashire, this has resulted in an enterprise based on a combination of years of friendship and mutual support and a shared love of crafting and wool. Resulting in Mountain Croft Living Fleeces. Read more
North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has added a breeding herd of Bagots to its staff roll. The herd is used to graze the cliff at the popular seaside resort of Cromer. Read more