Lantra - Key quotes and case studies

Robert Atkinson, Woodlands near Doncaster

Robert, a member of the Fantasy Farming group since its beginning and attendee on a LandSkills funded study tour to Osnabruck, Germany, said: "The Claas and Amazone machinery manufacturing plants were a model of organisation and efficiency. Both companies invested heavily in research and development, with fuel efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and precision farming technology important areas of research into the future. Both companies had impressive apprenticeship schemes for their young engineers.

"Bio-gas development has received considerable Government investment in Germany with the result that its development is some way ahead of that in the UK. We saw one plant which grew a large area of maize and took surplus slurry from local pig farms. The energy produced supplied the local town of over 10,000 inhabitants."

Paul Proudley, Hall Farm

Last year Paul was able to take advantage of LandSkills-funded knowledge transfer provided by Lenn Cragg to visit another farm successfully running Easycare sheep. He is also happy to open his own farm gate to others see his progress and has arranged a series of three farm visits this year through ADAS on flock health planning. Read more...

Kingsway Vets – Dairy Cattle Housing

Kingsway Veterinary Group held a dairy cattle housing workshop on 18^th November at Manor Farm, Rylstone, by kind permission of the Caygill Family. Read more...

Robert Graham

Robert has accessed LandSkills funding as part of the Herdsman Certificate and also acts as a farmer representative making himself available to talk to farmers about the training that they want.

Robert believes because not everyone has the same experience and knowledge it is very important to get like minded farmers together that are interested in the same course and this what makes LandSkills work.

Robert said: "Training enables me to gain expert knowledge and also learn from others in my training group."

Rachael Moore, Young Farmers Club (YFC) member

For me as a member of the YFC the Excel Weekend was hugely beneficial. As a member of such a dynamic organisation it is encouraging to be recognised as an individual rather than just a number.

The Excel weekend put into perspective the extent to which the movement is run by the members for the members - it is us who can make happen what we as an organisation want to happen.

I do strongly believe the rural aspect is what makes YFC unique from any other organisation.

My role as a District representative and club office holder is vital in ensuring Worth Valley remains entwined with the rest of the county by feeding back actions from Committee meetings and encouraging younger members to attend these meetings and events within the county and country.

Martin Burtt, York House Farm, Glaisdale

Local NFU chairman and also a member of the national NFU committee, Martin Burtt, is a dairy farmer who has attended LandSkills funded seminars on Liver Fluke, Lameness and Dairy Cow Reproduction. He said "I have really enjoyed the seminars, learning something new from each of them. I have put some of these new ideas into practice on my farm already and look forward to improving the profitability of my business as a result.'

Rare Breeds Survival Trust

Keeping professional skills up to scratch is essential for anyone tending livestock - whatever the size of their farm business.

That message came across loud and clear after two training courses organised by Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), supported by Lantra’s LandSkills Yorkshire and Humber funding attracted several rare breed keepers from Yorkshire.

Ian Woodhead, Thirsk

Everyone is advised to make a will and revise it regularly - but that message is all the more important for farmers whose ‘succession planning’ can be complex and costly.

Yorkshire farmer Ian Woodhead was inspired to take action by a special succession planning advisory session arranged by Milbank Consulting with funding from LandSkills Yorkshire and Humber. Read more...

Matthew Copley, Challenge of Rural Leadership

I manage an all arable farm in North Yorkshire. I was fortunate enough to attend the Challenge of Rural Leadership during November 2008.

I have previously completed the BASIS and FACTS courses run by Landbase Training at Malton but was interested in the Challenge of Rural Leadership course when I read an article on the course in the Farmer’s Weekly.

The course was particularly interesting and challenging not to mention, extremely intense.

As well as full days of lectures, there were after dinner speakers most evenings ranging from the manager of a well known organic farm to the Editor of the Farmer’s Weekly.

I found all the courses I have taken to be time well spent both in terms of the knowledge gained and from meeting the other course members. It is difficult to state exactly what I learned on the Leadership course but I know I have gained enormously from the whole experience. I feel more capable of tackling challenging problems and have gained some insight and confidence in effective leadership.

Anne-Marie Brown, YFC member

The training weekend was not only beneficial to my in roles for YFC but also for my work as well.

Having the external trainer worked really well, it was a view from the outside and made us all re evaluate things that we would normally say we have always done it like this. Although a youth organisation we have to think like a business in many ways and the main thing the weekend helped with was pulling everything back to the purpose which is what anything is about.

The skills, views, and questions that I learnt will help me in my roles within YFC, as a team member at work and also as an individual.

As well as the different view from an expert it was also good to understand views from other members from other clubs and districts, it helps to know that your not the only one with a certain problem in you club, or that another club has already experienced what your club is going through.

Training weekends are worth there weight in Gold and we should have more of them at all levels, it was a fantastic and well thought out weekend.

Andrew Warriner, Swainsea Barn Farm

Andrew, a free range egg producer from Pickering, has benefited from a new series of poultry training courses, run by MVP Training and funded by LandSkills as part of the RDPE.

Andrew said: "The courses are fantastic. They’ve given me much more insight and knowledge about hens and this is helping to increase production and tackle and issues with the flock.

"The training has shown me how to spot problems earlier, and I’m also now vaccinating the pullets more often and at a different stage."

Sarah Priestley, YFC member

What I got out of the training weekend as a member and as an individual

The training weekend encouraged me to develop new skills and confidence including teamwork and effective communication as well as personal development that will assist in the workplace.

The weekend involved a lot of group discussion on current Young Farmers issues including advice and comments and sharing ideas and best practice, as well as learning new skills and

making new friends and contacts for the future as I did not know everyone before the weekend.

The evening activity involved teamwork as well as the usual YFC fun and entertainment. We were split into different groups and were given a task, which we had to work together on and then present to the other Members.

I gained a great deal from the experience and I think the weekend will help result in the Federation having more successful clubs and stronger committees.

Beneficiary,Greville Worthington

“The charcoal course was a huge success! David, the instructor, was brilliant and a lot was learned. The burn was a great success too with loads of usable product which I can sell at my market stall rather than buying it in.”

Will Foers, Wadworth, Doncaster,

“Taking part in the Fantasy Farmer project has enabled me to review how I manage my crops from the types of seed I plant to the rates of spraying and fertilising nutrition. I was able to benchmark my accounts, and as a result, sold the livestock I had and concentrated on growing wheat and oil seed rape, which has become more profitable.”

Beneficiary & biscuit wheat farmer, Robert Atkinson

“Such study tours add to our learning and open our minds to the importance of investing in training which provides the stimulus we all need to stay ahead of the game.”

Becki Reay, cattle foot trimming course

"The cattle foot trimming course has taught me how to maintain my cattle's feet and also understand how to prevent infection and anything else which may affect them. Going on the course will save the business money as I can now do it myself rather than pay for someone else to come in and do it.

"The farming community has a history of teaching each other but going on external training is important as well. Course such as this allow farmers to benefit from veterinary advise that you wouldn't necessarily get on the farm and therefore expanding our knowledge."

Matthew Webster, Sunny Bank Farm, Whixley

Matthew Webster photo courtesy of Farmers Guardian

“FarmSkills courses give you the upper hand on timing on the farm; now I can AI a cow or trim a cow’s foot when I want to and when the animal needs it; I don’t have to wait for someone to come and do it for me.”

David Hamer, Rishworth Hall Farm, Rishworth

"The cattle foot trimming course has taught myself and other farmers how to maintain our cattle's feet and understand how to prevent infection and anything else which may affect them. Going on the course means that we can now spot and treat problems sooner and maintain a higher standard of animal health and welfare."

Key quotes and case studies

Take a look at what employers and others who have benefited from LandSkills Yorkshire and Humber have to say about the skills and training development: