New mentoring scheme offers grassroots advice (From Western Telegraph)

New mentoring scheme offers grassroots advice

11:20am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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Dairy farmer Tim Simons from Narberth, has joined the growing team of British Grassland Society (BGS) Grazing Partners after completing a training course in mentoring skills.

Launched last summer, the mentorship scheme uses experienced and successful dairy, beef and sheep farmers to mentor producers less confident in grassland management skills, so they can increase grass utilisation on their farms and cut their costs of production.

“We trained our first nine grazing partners in June last year and were surprised at the demand for their services with relatively little promotion,” explains the scheme’s project manager Sara Gregson, who saw a similar initiative working in the Canadian suckler cow industry during a Nuffield Farming Scholarship.

“With 21 farmers already matched to a grazing partner and several on a waiting list, we were keen to train some more, ready for the forthcoming grazing season.”

Mr Simons, who is being funded by DairyCo, will undertake two visits to producers in his area to suggest ideas and discuss options for improving grassland productivity and use.

The farmers will pay an initial £50 administration fee but receive help and guidance from Mr Simons free of charge.

On-going support by phone, e-mail or further meetings can also be arranged. For more information and details of BGS grazing partners in your area, call Sara Gregson on 01799 530934 or email sara@saragregson.co.uk.