Looking back helps plan ahead for a better 2018
Perhaps it’s after the clocks go back and the days seem so much shorter, but late autumn into winter always seems to be a rush of reviewing what has happened – perhaps because it’s also time to prepare the BGs magazine, Grass and Forage Manager, while planning for next year.
On farm, planning is important now and it’s something we’ve focused on a little in the upcoming magazine.
That looking back can be used to determine what might be done better next year, so that 2018 has lower costs and maybe better output too. It might only mean small but important changes. Could ensuring that silage is better compacted give me a better clamp of winter forage; can I address some of the soil issues that are making fields under-perform? Or it could be a bigger decision – should I change how I make silage perhaps, or should I consider other structural changes in the business?
The planning for BGS is based around events and activities for the society, whether external shows or our own. It’s both exciting and a challenge, as being a small team there is rarely a slow moment in the office.
There is plenty on the agenda, from our normal “big ticket items” like the summer meeting and Grassland Farmer of the Year competition, to national trade shows. We have great plans to be more in evidence on-farm and elsewhere next year, with farm walks and other short events.
Our involvement in projects such as grazing mentors and research work such as SoilQuality.org continues, keeping us engaged with interested and forward-looking farmers and industry colleagues, as ever.
This autumn has been busier than usual through being a team member short, after Charlotte left the BGS fold to train as a teacher – as readers of Grass and Forage Manager will be aware.
After a review (back to review and plan!) by our council members, a part-time technical project officer job is now advertised and we’re planning to interview before Christmas. We’re looking for someone who has a decent knowledge of grassland agriculture, with an ability to communicate on all things grass and forage related.
It’s a wide-ranging job, with recurring but changing tasks such as organising the competition and preparing articles, newsletters and other communications, to on-farm events and liaising with our local societies, such as Shropshire. If it’s something that might be of interest to you or someone you know, do have a look on our website, where you’ll find details and a link to a full job description. See: http://www.britishgrassland.com/news/bgs-job-vacancy-technical-project-officer
Elaine Jewkes, Society Director, British Grassland Society
