Breeding decisions shape everything on the farm: animal health, how efficiently your grass is used, your medicine bills, your climate footprint, and ultimately, how well your stock "belong" in your landscape. Join the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) at RM Mitchell’s farm near Selkirk for a practical, hands-on day exploring livestock genetics.
Hosted by Stuart, we’ll be looking at how breeding choices play out in the field, not just on a spreadsheet. Whether you are looking at managing a closed herd to improve biosecurity, or trying to strike the perfect balance between performance records and the traditional stockman's eye, this event will dig into what works in reality. We’ll be focusing on building stock that work with the farm, rather than against it.
What we will cover:
Breeding for resilience: Lowering inputs and selecting for health.
Matching animals to place: Aiming for environment-fit rather than show-ring perfect.
Stock–landscape bonding: Nurturing animals that know how to graze and thrive in their specific environment.
Closed herds and biosecurity: Finding suitable genetics and managing herd improvements safely from within.
The toolkit: Using Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and performance records alongside your own eye.
The bigger picture: How your breeding choices impact biodiversity, soil health, and long-term business resilience.
Who is this for?
Cattle and sheep farmers interested in nature-friendly, lower-input, or regenerative approaches.
Crofters and smaller-scale producers thinking about their next steps for herd or flock improvement.
Advisors, vets, and agricultural professionals supporting farm businesses.
Please note: You don’t need to be a genetics geek to attend! If you are curious and up for a practical, honest conversation about livestock breeding, you’ll fit right in.
Draft Itinerary for the Day (Timings are approximate and subject to the flow of the conversation!)
10:00 – 10:30: Arrival, tea, coffee, and introductions.
10:30 – 11:15: Walk & Talk 1: Out in the field with the herd/flock. Discussing temperament, grazing patterns, and what we are breeding for today versus 10 years ago.
11:15 – 12:15: Practical Genetics Session: Simple ways to think about health and environment-fit. Using EBVs without losing sight of the whole animal, using real examples from Stuart's breeding decisions.
12:15 – 13:00: Lunch and informal chat.
13:00 – 14:00: Walk & Talk 2: Routes to change. Discussing replacement policies, managing closed herds, selecting sires, and how this all links to forage use and biodiversity.
14:00 – 14:30: Panel Q&A and next steps. What could you tweak in your own breeding plan this year?
Practicalities
Catering: Tea, coffee, and a simple but tasty lunch will be provided.
What to bring: Please bring weather-proof clothing, sturdy footwear (clean for biosecurity), and a notebook.
Spaces are limited to ensure everyone gets a chance to ask questions and join the discussion, so please book your free spot today.
Speakers:
Stuart and Kate Mitchell: Stuart is a head partner at Whitriggs farm and Kate a farm vet, together they run a 440-hectare mixed organic family farm in the Scottish borders. The farm won the Scottish Sustainable Farm of the Year in 2023. Stuart runs cattle, deer and arable enterprises within which he has reduced inputs and increased efficiency. Stuart has pioneered many nature-friendly approaches on the farm and teaches others about them, such as outwinter bale grazing.
Angus and Denise Walton: Denise and Angus Walton are a mother and son duo who farm at Peelham Farm raising organic and Pasture for Life assured sheep, cattle and pigs. They farm to encourage birds and pollinating insects to live on the land. They converted to organic following the CAP reform of 2002, which facilitated funding. They restored hedges and fence lines, making sure they connected so birds and wildlife can use them as a food source or for protection from predators.
TBC Moredun: Sharing practical advice on animal health and disease resilience linked directly to your breeding choices.
TBC Quality Meat Scotland (QMS): Adding perspective on recording, market signals, and ensuring that breeding for nature and health still stacks up profitably in the supply chain.