FREE FARM PLAN SKILLS
With technology driving agricultural change, farm and production planning is crucially important for Tasmanian farmers. TasTAFE is offering no-fee places in two skill sets especially designed for long-term farm planning as part of the latest round of JobTrainer funding. “The skill sets will help you identify long-term goals so you can plan and work towards enhancing the success of your farming enterprise,” TasTAFE Manager Education and Training Rachel Holland said. “They are for those working in agribusiness and are spread over eight months in a blended delivery model of in-person on the farm and online so you can maintain your day-to-day work. “We want farmers to develop critical skills to improve their business and be better prepared for market volatility.”
Agribusiness Production Planning focuses on how to prepare financial and production budgets, understand financial reports and set up and monitor production processes. Agribusiness and Farm Planning covers the scope, development and review of business plans, as well as how to audit and manage natural resources, integrate the management of natural resources with business and production objectives and develop farm plans. JobTrainer no-fee places are for Tasmanian job seekers and people aged 17-24, including school leavers. TasTAFE has limited no-fee JobTrainer places available and further eligibility criteria applies. For more information, and to see the full range of JobTrainer places available, visit tastafe.tas.edu.au. JobTrainer is a joint initiative of the Federal and State Governments.
ONLINE WELCOME COURSE
YOUNG livestock competitors around Australia are being encouraged to complete a free online course in animal welfare and handling standards offered by the nation’s peak body for agricultural shows. The courses, run by Agricultural Shows Australia, are designed for young exhibitors and judges of poultry, cattle, alpacas and sheep and are available on the organisation’s website. They have been developed in partnership with the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. Agricultural Shows Australia Chairman Rob Wilson said the courses were an important educational initiative for schools, students and shows alike, and encouraged agriculture teachers to use them. “It is the responsibility of shows, competitors and exhibitors to provide proper and humane care and treatment of animals,” Dr Wilson said.
The courses provide training in the basics of animal handling and care, the principles of animal welfare and show ring ethics, safety and animal wellbeing. “We welcome all primary and secondary schools as well as agricultural colleges to use the courses in the classroom to complement the curriculum in the teaching of practical agricultural science courses. “The learnings and outcomes from the courses enhance the future of the livestock industry through education, demonstration, and competition so that the competitors become more informed producers or employees in the agriculture or food industries.” For courses details: agshowsaustralia.thinkific.com