Experts to help develop farm skills in training programme
The national agri-training and education body has welcomed the knowledge transfer groups, where professionals will help boost farm skills. Focus areas will include financial management, animal health, grassland management, carbon efficiency and breeding.
These measures were among the areas targeted for support as part of the €12.5bn Rural Development Plan for 2013-2020, unveiled by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney last week.
Teagasc director, Prof Gerry Boyle, said: “These knowledge transfer measures will be prioritised for dairy expanders and new entrants but will also be used to help improve efficiency and profitability in the beef and sheep sectors.
“Knowledge transfer groups will address areas such as financial management, grassland management, breeding, animal health and carbon management.”
The new beef data and genomics measure is also welcomed as a means of improving the quality of the national beef herd.
Teagasc director of research, Frank O’Mara, added: “The suckler beef genomics scheme is a great opportunity to bring the advantage of genomic technology to suckler farmers as has been seen in the dairy industry; we will work with ICBF to develop the science needed for the implementation of this technology.”
The support for setting up formal collaborative farming arrangements will assist new entrants into the business, notably into dairying, which could lead to improved savings at farm level.
Prof Boyle said that the announcement of the implementation of the CAP and the Rural Development Plan creates a platform from which farmers can plan their individual business to 2020.
ICOS president Bertie O’Leary also highlighted the support for knowledge transfer, innovation and other proposed Rural Development Plan measures as part of his welcome for the new €12.5bn CAP budget.
“I welcome the emphasis on supporting innovation and improving competitiveness,” said Mr O’Leary.
“The farming and food sectors are facing challenges around delivery of Food Harvest 2020 targets. We need to grow production and efficiency at farm level, while protecting incomes in rural areas.”
Mr O’Leary said work needs to be done to put flesh on the bones of the Rural Development Plan proposals, but said overall a good deal had been struck, realigning direct payments to farmers while also supporting the sustainable development of the farming sector.
He suggested that participation on the new Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme should be a qualifying and grant-aided knowledge transfer measure.
