DairyCo

BGS Grazing Partners

Farmers who want help with their grazing management should contact BGS to take part in this new initiative, developed to use the UK's best untapped resource in grassland management.

This scheme will be using farmers who are good and experienced grazing managers to help or mentor those who want help to improve.

There are some great consultants and advisers in the UK, but we feel there are not enough grazing experts to make the impact that could be achieved by using farmer-mentors to share their knowledge with other local farmers and support them in making decisions.

With BGS president Sarah Byford, Hon treasurer Tony Evans and society director Jessica Buss, the idea has been developed into the BGS Grazing Partners initiative. The scheme will offer those asking us for help with their grazing the personal interest from an independent, objective, knowledgeable outsider who can also point them to other resources, and which is completely relevant to his/her farm.

We believe this will give them the confidence to do things differently and to seek further support, which is available to them in discussion groups, as well as through the BGS network.

The farmers who become mentors will be trained in mentoring/facilitation skills that, as well as allowing them to mentor farmers through this scheme, will help them manage staff and take a more active part in or to run discussion group meetings. The scheme will also give mentors an additional income stream, plus the satisfaction of helping others.

Contact Sara Gregson, project manager, on 01799 530934 or e-mail sara@saragregson.co.uk