Falklands : WORLD WATER DAY FALKLANDS FARMERS’ WEEK THEME
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 07.07.2012 (Article Archived on 21.07.2012)
The annual Falkland Farmers’ Week was based at the Town Hall from Monday, 02 to Friday, 06 July 2012 beginning with a Rural Expo organised by the Rural Business Association.
WORLD WATER DAY FALKLANDS FARMERS’ WEEK THEME
By J. Brock (FINN)
The annual Falkland Farmers’ Week was based at the Town Hall from Monday, 02 to Friday, 06 July 2012 beginning with a Rural Expo organised by the Rural Business Association. Though there were other venues, the bulk of the presentations took place in the Town Hall. Both the Department of Agriculture and the Rural Business Association offered lectures and presentations on subjects relevant to Falklands’ farming.
Businesses like Cable & Wireless South Atlantic Limited and the Falkland Islands Meat Company had displays along with charities like the Falkland Islands Human Rights Group and organisations like the Chamber of Commerce showed off their organisations’ focus and goals as well as handing out informative leaflets and/or product samples. The KEMH had an excellent health check section and there was even a model of a proposed Agricultural college at Beckside Farm. The environmental Planning Department and Power and Electrical Department also had informative displays.
A Rural Business Association committee meeting followed the EXPO and a lecture about health and services followed lunch. The Rural Business Association Annual General Meeting followed, with the Wool Company Annual general Meeting following
Tuesday began with fire training and a presentation about the Falkland Islands Air Service. The Falkland Islands Development Corporation update on import substitution followed. Luis Clifton then updated everyone on the trade mission to Aberdeen and the Shetland Islands. In the afternoon there was a presentation by the Falkland Islands Meat Company. FIG outsourcing was then presented by Simon Fletcher. The Annual Sheep Owners Association General Meeting then took place at the Chamber of Commerce Function Room.
On Wednesday, the Hon Mr Mike Summers opened the Department of Agriculture’s three days of presentations that included the presentation of a paper about early weaning and parasite control and an introduction to Jo Tanner, who explained her role in the Falkland Islands.
Andrew Pollard presented findings during the Legume experiment and there was a discussion about Mid side sampling by Helen Thoday. Andy Pollard and Tim Miller presented horticulture options to round off the day.
Due to Thursday’s bad weather the Met Office presentation with Simon Ashton was postponed until Friday but Andrew Pollard’s presentation on Benchmarking went ahead. The National Stud Flock survey results were followed with a discussion with Helen Thoday. The day ended with discussions about a wide variety of topics.
On Friday morning Marcus Morrison presented a proposal to make Beckside Farm into an Agricultural institute. He even took 36 hours to make a model of the area for all to see. There was discussion and feedback, with people showing general approval of the scheme and some offering Saladero as an alternative. Beckside farm was chosen because it is nearest to Stanley and is not being fully used at the moment.
A meaningful discussion with MLA on a wide variety of topics followed, with the postponed presentation about Falklands weather held on Friday afternoon. The session continued with Nuala Knight presenting a feature about the Rural Development Strategy. The final session was a standard presentation by the Acting Governor about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s relationship with the Falklands
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