Ruth Dalton

Ruth and her husband graze cattle, sheep and goats on 180 acres in the South Lakes; a mixture of owned and conservation-grazed land ranging from limestone to acid grassland, wetlands and wood pasture. Increasing biodiversity whilst running a profitable farm business are their key aims, and they sell both pedigree breeding stock and meat. Over the years they have worked to select animals that suit their outwintered, low-input system and are always chasing the holy grail of the "perfect cow"...

Ruth is passionate about native breeds and their place in profitable farming systems and worked for the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as a Field Officer for 10 years. She is now self-employed as an independent farming adviser, and also enjoys working on a contract basis as a Project Manager with The Farmer Network and as a regional facilitator for Pasture for Life.