Farming for Profit

In the Autumn of 2002, the Department of Agriculture organised for a company from Australia (Resource Consultancy Services), to deliver a series of training workshops to Falkland Island Farmers called 'Grazing For Profit'. In September 2002 Sean Martyn, one of the RCS Directors, came to the Falklands to facilitate the first 8-day course. The principal attendees were DoA staff, with a few farmers. It was important that DoA staff attended to have a common understanding of the principles being taught to the farmers. Sean returned in March 2003 to run a second course, and again in September 2003.

12 DoA staff and 24 farmers (representing 18 farms) attended the 3 courses which covered an holistic approach to farming including grazing management and tools, breeding principles, financial management, business planning, plant biology and animal nutrition.

Whilst the Grazing for Profit 'schools' were enjoyed by those attending and much learned, many farmers found that having such a large block of time away from the farm difficult. A new approach was needed that would encourage more farmers to attend and share the benefits of the information provided on the course. As a solution, 3-day courses were offered. Some past participants attended, using the course as a bit of a refresher because there was a lot to take in on the original 8-day GFP course. They were also encouraged to get their partners to attend so that they would have a common understanding of what each was trying to achieve for the development of their business.

major aspect of the course was that it was to be more Falkland Islands orientated and the course was tailored to meet that requirement, with much of the teaching and demonstration material being of Falkland Islands origin. The first of these new style courses was held in Stanley in April 2004 to which 12 people attended, including 3 newcomers. The basic principles of the GFP workshop were covered with discussion at the end of the workshop to identify areas that farmers felt were a priority that needed more concentrated detail in a series of short 1 and 2 day workshops. On-farm field days were also planned for the coming year.

It is hoped that more 3-day Farming for Profit courses will be held on both the East and the West in the future that will allow for easier attendance by more remotely located farmers. The impact of attendance at these courses is already evident with the proactive movement by farmers to incorporate their new found knowledge with the Pasture Improvement Programme. The introduction of forage cropping and new managed grazing systems is evident.

The main principle of the Farming for Profit course is to give farmers an informed choice by providing them with a refreshed and sometimes new knowledge of systems and tools available to them.

Copyright © Department of Agriculture
Falkland Islands Government

Background picture supplied by Siân Ferguson