DairyCo recognised for helping farmers boost their business

DairyCo’s Dairy Business Group initiative has been recognised for its work with UK dairy farmers and been presented with the award for Partnership & Collaboration at the South West National Training Awards 2008.

The scheme was started so that farmers could work together to learn from the strengths and weaknesses of others, as well as take advantage of technical input provided by industry specialists. . Dairy farmers are encouraged to boost their business by providing them with practical advice and support through meetings facilitated by DairyCo extension officers.

When the initiative was set up, Sheffield-based training providers U&I provided training to DairyCo extension officers, to help farmers meet the UK dairy industry’s major challenges – the overriding aim being to achieve greater profitability on-farm.

Stuart Goodinson, DairyCo’s head of extension says: "There was low morale within the farming industry, along with isolation from the community and other farmers, as well as lack of communication and collaboration across the farming supply chain. The DairyCo Business Group initiative was set up to help change this, forming 120 farming groups around the UK. Each group consists of around 10 farmers, meeting 4-6 times a year with DairyCo extension officers providing facilitation. ."

Routinely collected feedback from farmers who attend the groups showed that 98 per cent felt the meetings were a good use of their time and 95% had done something different as a result of attending. Some farmers who attended group meetings reported a significant reduction in calf mortality and one farmer said milk yield had increased from 2,100 to 2,600 litres a day, adding an extra £31,000 to his bottom line.

The judges praised the DairyCo Business Group initiative for using resources effectively and efficiently, for maintaining the improved performance of individuals and team and for successfully working as a partnership. The judges said: "This is a well delivered facilitation training programme with good follow through and review processes established." They also noted that "the farmers are now communicating well together, a great tribute to the success of the training."

Stuart Goodinson accepted the award on behalf of the DairyCo Business Group initiative at the South West National Training Awards 2008 ceremony held in Bristol along with Kim Stafford who accepted the award on behalf of U&I.