News from
The Yorkshire Agricultural Societysupporting rural Yorkshire
yas.co.uk
January 2018
We recognise the value of farmer discussion groups and want to support you, so if there is something that the Yorkshire Agricultural Society can help you with then please ask.We have attended a number of farmer discussion group meetings, if you would like us to do a talk at your group please contact Karen Barker on 01423 546233.
FACETIME / SKYPE A FARMER FaceTime/Skype a Farmer has operated a successful pilot scheme in the East of England and LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), who have recently merged with FACE (Farming and Countryside Education) are now seeking farmers from across the UK who would be interested in engaging with young people and schools.
This initiative aims to link farmers with schools to highlight the work of the modern-day farmer in our high-tech agricultural industry. For more information or to register your interest head to: https://leafuk.org/news-and-media/news/facetime-skype-a-farmer-farmingfriday
FIRST ANNUAL FARMER DISCUSSION GROUP MEETINGThe Farmer Discussion Group Meeting at The Yorkshire Vet at Countryside Live! took place on Sunday 22nd October 2017. Several groups took advantage of our offer of 2 free tickets to attend the meeting and the new-look show, where a networking breakfast, social media training and a tour of the showground was provided.
The Red Cross also showcased their fantastic free first aid app and Macmillan joined us to highlight how the support they can offer to those affected by cancer. We hope to build on the success of this event by bringing more even groups together next year – stay posted for details!
Download the Red Cross App:http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/Mobile-app
HOW CAN YAS SUPPORT YOU?Over the past month few months we have been out and about giving presentations about YAS and its charitable activities to groups from across the region.
It has been wonderful to meet with group members and discuss the support we can offer to both them and to the wider community. One of the ways YAS can support those working within the agricultural industry is by providing grants to support Continuing Professional Development.
This year YAS sponsored two young farmers from South Yorkshire Grassland Society to take part in the British Grassland Society summer tour to Shropshire 2017. Amy Watson and Sam Shaw were the worthy recipients of this sponsorship. Group secretary Trees Fewster commented ‘At 17/18 years of age they were by far the youngest on the trip, but they got so much out of it. Amy has since joined the SYGS committee, which highlights how the value of the sponsorship is increasing already.’
To find out more about applying for a grant or to download an application form head to:
http://yas.co.uk/charitable-activities/grant-applications/
NUFFIELD SCHOLAR SUCCESS Future Farmer Richard Hinchliffe delivered an insightful presentation of his report on ‘Herbicide Resistant Weeds’ at the Nuffield Conference last November.Richard was the YAS scholar for 2016 and his full report can be found here:
http://nuffieldinternational.org/live/Report/UK/2016/richard-hinchliffe
ADVERTISE YOUR FARM VISITS ON
Do you host educational visits on your farm? Don’t forget to advertise them on the national
go-to website for teachers:
countrysideclassroom.org.uk
NEW PROJECT FOR HILL SHEEPFARMERS LAUNCHEDThe Farmer-Scientist Network have successfully secured funding through the European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) to support Hill Sheep Farmers in Yorkshire and Cumbria to use a new branch of Epidemiology. The project will include livestock keepers in the analysis of animal diseases and the design, implementation and the evaluation of disease control programmes. This technique of ‘Participatory Epidemiology’ has been successfully used in developing countries including the Pan African Rinderpest Campaign which used pastoralists’ knowledge of rinderpest to locate disease outbreaks in remote areas. To fi nd out more, please contact: [email protected]
The European Agricultural Fundfor Rural DevelopmentEurope investing in rural areas
CROP HEALTH NORTH UNDERWAYWITH WINTER WHEAT TRIALSCrop Health North brings together scientifi c and practical expertise to carry out trials looking at different approaches to crop protection through the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Farmer-Scientist Network by comparing the effectiveness of synthetic and “biologic” products on different wheat varieties’ disease resistance, yield and quality.
The trials are taking place at three sites across the North of England. The biological crop protection products are micro-organisms used to coat seeds before sowing or sprayed onto the plant. These are relatively new to the UK but likely to become widely available over the next few years. The fi rst year focussed on Spring Wheat, we are now in its second year trialling Winter Wheat (Skyfall and KWS Willow). The project aims to inspire us to think differently about bio-pesticides and the role they could play in the future.
To fi nd out more, visit: crophealthnorth.co.uk or contact: [email protected]
farmerscientistnetwork.co.uk
SUPPORT US AT SPRINGTIME LIVE!Springtime Live is our annual celebration of everything food, farming and the countryside with fun, ‘hands on’ activities for all the family to take part in!
This year the event takes place on Saturday 31st March from 9am – 4.30pm and we need your help to showcase how fantastic farming is! Are you a confident and sympathetic communicator who enjoys sharing your knowledge with people of all ages? We are looking for volunteers to help tell the story of agriculture in Yorkshire, so come and join us to share your passion and encourage the Great British public to get involved! For more details please contact Sophie Green: [email protected]
springtimelive.co.uk
Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 July 2018
greatyorkshireshow.co.uk
SAVE ££’S WITH THE SPECIAL FARMER RATE AT GYS 2018! We are pleased to announce that we are once again offering discounted tickets to all farmers attending this year’s Great Yorkshire Show. So why not join us to celebrate our 160th anniversary on 10 / 11 / 12 July 2018? Tickets go on sale 1st April 2018!
Free farmer health checks are coming to a place near you thanks to the Yorkshire Rural Support Network.
Throughout the year, the network organises for nurses to carry out free Farmer Health Checks at Auction Marts, the Great Yorkshire Show and various events throughout the county. The network is funded by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and brings together statutory and voluntary agencies to promote and provide sources of help for farmers in need. Kate Dale runs the network and as a partner in her own farming business, she knows how tough the industry can be. She said: “It can be an isolating profession and farmers are usually the last ones to put themselves first. We know they would rather take their animal to the vet than make time to get themselves checked by the doctor, so we bring the medic to them!”
These are open to any farmers with health concerns and the next dates are:
Wednesday 10th January 2018 • 11am - 1.30pmRipon Farm Services Machinery Open Day
Thursday 11th January 2018 • 11am - 1.30pmFarmstar Machinery Open Day, Marr near Doncaster
Wednesday 7th February 2018 • 11am - 1.30pmYorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show, Murton, York
FARMER HEALTHCHECKSJANUARY TO FEBRUARY 2018
Ripon Cathedral Plough Service Sunday 14 January 2018
The Plough Service at Ripon Cathedral will take place on Sunday 14th January 2018 with refreshments from 2.30pm and the service from 3.30pm.
The speaker will be Adam Bedford, North East Regional Director of the NFU and Future Farmers of Yorkshire and Young Farmers Club members will be taking part. All welcome!
Wednesday 21st February
Farming Community Lunch at The Gavel Café, Thirsk Mart at 12 noon.
Booking essential to Kate Dale on 07912 495604 or [email protected]
yas.co.uk/charitable-activities/yorkshire-rural-support-network/
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHEDAs membership of the group has now grown to nearly 800, a new-look e-newsletter and website have been launched to ensure that all members are kept up to date with the latest news and events.
Explore futurefarmers.co.uk and fill in the new membership form to join the group today!
The next event for Future Farmers is:‘Big Data & Precision Farming’6.45pm • 13th Feb 2018 • Pavilions of Harrogate.Join us for this FREE event which explores recent developments in technology & how they may shape the future of agriculture. Incudes a complimentary hot supper.For more information please visit our website or to book your place contact:Sophie Green: [email protected]
Futurefarmers.co.uk
Remember to follow us on social media to see regular updates
@YorksAgSoc @FutureFarmerYAS @greatyorkshow @YAScountryside @springtimelive
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yas.co.uk
YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETYRegional Agricultural Centre | Great Yorkshire Showground | Harrogate HG2 8NZ
t: 01423 541000 | f: 01423 541414 | e: [email protected]
Registered Charity No. 513238 • Company Reg No. 1666751 • VAT Reg No. 613 0480 81 • Registered in England as a company limited by guarantee
