Nia joins us for exciting new year
A new year, and some new beginnings, perhaps that’s what it’s all about.
Exciting times here in the BGS office, as our recruitment campaign was successful and we have a new technical project officer starting with us this week.
It’ll be great to have another pair of hands in the office, and I hope many of you will meet Nia as she gets to grips with looking after our Grassland Farmer of the Year competition, as well as helping with projects and being at events. Hailing from a beef and sheep farm in west Wales, and having worked on dairy farms for the last year or so after a spell in the commercial world, she’s knowledgeable about farming and keen to learn more.
Another new experience for us will be when the event season kicks off a little sooner than we’ve been used to, with the new RABDF Dairy Tech show at Stoneleigh next week.
Looking to promote new technologies and knowledge in dairy farming, there could be some interesting indicators of the directions dairy might look to go in as the agricultural industry navigates not just the uncharted water of leaving the EU but also the market volatility that seems to have become the norm.
RABDF have worked hard to develop a different offer with this event so we wish them luck for a good day. Nia and I will be there promoting BGS activities and membership, so if you’re visiting the show do come and say hello.
Of course alongside looking forward to new things, the normal jobs keep coming around and it’s a hectic time in the office preparing the next issue of Grass and Forage Manager magazine.
We’re thinking about some of our activities, with previews of our summer meeting in county Durham (July 1 to 4 – it’d be great to see you) and Grassland UK in Somerset on May 10, where we’ll be organising a seminar series.
There are also features on making great silage and considerations on saving costs.
We’re sticking our neck out a little into non-grassland territory, however, with a feature piece looking at health and safety on-farm. Agriculture and related industries stubbornly stay at the top of the list for fatal accidents. One of our members has bravely spoken to us about an accident on his farm and the consequences, actual and potential.
The piece will also address trying to avoid accidents through training and practice. Have a look at the Farm Safety Partnership’s “Yellow Wellies” pledge and determine to come home safe.
Elaine Jewkes, Director, British Grassland Society
