8 November 2018
Farming Connect will be urging Welsh farmers to take full advantage of all the support and services on offer to help them prepare for the trading conditions of the future at this year’s Winter Fair at Llanelwedd (November 26/27).
“If you’re not registered with Farming Connect and making full use of all that’s available to you, you are probably missing out,” is the stark message from Eirwen Williams, director of rural programmes with Menter a Busnes, which delivers Farming Connect.
“Our key message this year, is that you should start preparing now in readiness for the different trading conditions widely being forecast and Farming Connect can support you with this across most areas of working.
“There has never been more urgency about focusing on both business and personal development in order to create a viable, sustainable business that is ready to face the opportunities and challenges of leaving the EU,” said Mrs Williams.
You’ll find Farming Connect representatives in locations including the first-floor balcony of the livestock building; the Lantra building (Avenue K); and at the Welsh Government pavilion in the South Glamorgan Hall.
Farming Connect staff will encourage anyone not already registered to do so electronically, and will be promoting all aspects of the service throughout the two-day event.
The particular focus this year will be on benchmarking, including Farming Connect’s Measure to Manage tool; HCC’s new red meat benchmarking scheme as well as the importance of continuing professional development (CPD).
Paul and Dwynwen Williams of Cae Haidd Ucha, Llanrwst, the Farming Connect demonstration farmers who were last year awarded Farmers Weekly Beef Farmers of the Year, credit benchmarking as a critical component of their success.
“Benchmarking helped the Williams family assess their current strengths and identify areas for improvement and they are now in Wales’ top third of financial performance for suckler cow production at their 320-acre farm,” said Mrs.Williams.
For many individuals, signing up for Farming Connect’s fully funded Continuous Professional Development (CPD) recording system means they can now capture all educational, knowledge transfer and training activity, storing all records and certificates securely online in one accessible place. Many have gone on to complete a Farming Connect online Personal Development Plan (PDP) which helps them assess current areas of knowledge and identify any gaps where training may help them work more efficiently or cost-effectively.
“There are thousands of farmers and foresters in Wales now achieving or working towards peak performance levels, benefiting from fully-funded one-to-one support and services across numerous areas.
“Provided they are registered with us and have received their individual username and password from the Farming Connect Service Centre, they’re ready to start tapping into the wealth of support available,” added Mrs. Williams.
Farming Connect is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.