Falklands : Farmers' Week Begins With Excellent Expo
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 10.07.2011 (Article Archived on 24.07.2011)
An exhibition of businesses, products and services that are associated with the Falklands’ farming industry opened at the Town hall on Monday, 04 July 2011.
FARMERS’ WEEK BEGINS WITH EXCELLENT EXPO
By J. Brock (FINN)
An exhibition of businesses, products and services that are associated with the Falklands’ farming industry opened at the Town hall on Monday, 04 July 2011. Beginning with breakfast provided by theFalkland Islands Meat Company and Rural Business Association, farmers and their families gathered over coffee to discuss the week and to socialise before the programme began in earnest during the afternoon sessions. In the hall exhibitors included the Department of Agriculture, Cable & Wireless South Atlantic Ltd, JayTec Limited, Falkland Collectables, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Falklands Conservation, Tourism, Falkland Islands meat Company and many others.
Some very important services like basic health checks on blood pressure were given by the KEMH. This service proves valuable for those who don’t normally attend the KEMH on a regular basis. At the Department of Agriculture stand there was plenty of information about Biodiversity and farming statistics as well as copies of the week’s programmes, meetings and lectures.
Today’s programme begins at 0800hrs with an introduction to the Department of Agriculture lectures by Mr John Barton, Director of Natural Resources. He will go over the key events and milestones of the year. Senior Veterinary Officer, Steve Pointing - the author of a brief history of Veterinary service, now 200 years old – will continue with trial results on Hydatid’s disease and its implications for the treatment of dogs.
Up next are Mac McArthur, Hew Grierson and John Ferguson to give a presentation about the beef supply and attempts to synchronise it with demand. After Smoko Andrew Pollard will present a lecture and slides about Farming in New Zealand, followed by a detailed presentation and lecture about what the Agricultural Department is doing to help establish legume pastures in acid soils. He will also outline the Agronomy Research project planned for 2011/2012. Wednesday afternoon will be taken up with Rural Business Association activities. These include a lecture by Falklands’ Conservation about penguin census and minefield restoration.
On Thursday Tony Mills, Agricultural Advisor will discuss wool and meat enterprise gross margins and what the best options are. This will be followed by lunch provided by the Department of Agriculture.
Veterinary Officers Steve Pointing and Zoe Luxton will discuss Veterinary Clinical Scenarios and what people can do before having veterinary help. This will prove to be an informative and precise lecture for farmers – and I would imagine pet owners as well.
Andrew Pollard will continue his theme of the effect of soil acidity but will discuss liming on forage productivity.
An open forum will complete the day with all the Department of Agriculture staff participating in a question and answer session especially in the areas of Livestock Returns, Animal Welfare Regulations, Cattle Tagging and other interests.
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