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EDITOR ’ S INTRO
Well , here as I speak summer has been and gone , or has it ? Let ’ s hope we get a late burst of sunshine and a bit of an Indian summer .
Great to see the Yorkshire and Driffield shows go ahead , both being one day longer to stagger the crowds . Both shows were well attended considering everything . Hopefully we can look to a normal going on next year starting with YAMS in February .
DURING the pandemic farming has had its challenges , however I think it has been one of the best industries to work in . We have a bevy of interesting features in this issue . I went to see John Goodfellow of Goodfellow Farming in Morpeth . John is a very interesting and entrepreneurial guy , just like his father was .
John and Louise Hobson are another fascinating couple who have achieved a huge amount across the years , not least championing Easycare sheep as well as their Stabiliser herd . Read as well about their significant investment and development program .
Louise Hobson is another of our key women in agriculture , as well as running many sides of the business she is breed secretary of the Easycare society and has really been pivotal in its development .
Chris Berry has been to see Mark Flint at Cawkeld farm . Another very interesting story especially as he has just stepped into the key role at the
Driffield Show as well as being a busy farmer .
Chris has also been to see James Johnson at Mallard Grange farm at Aldfield near Ripon – a very busy farmer who is very much into conservation and regenerative agriculture as well as becoming the NFU North East Young Farming Ambassador and due to attend the World Climate Conference in Glasgow in October !
It was great to meet people again at the Yorkshire Show . We have a machinery focus section in this issue which we will be expanding into the November issue . Good timing before we all go to LAMMA to see what developments are in store for 2022 ! Have an enjoyable read of the fascinating farms in our September issue and see you in November .
Owner & Managing Editor Ian Wilkinson
AUG / SEP 2021 • farmers-mart . co . uk
Game management qualification launched to boost industry standards
GAMEKEEPERS , estate managers and shoot managers looking to brush up on their skills can now apply for places on a new course which has been developed through a collaboration between the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust ( GWCT ) and BASIS .
The BASIS Certificate in Game Management is designed to encourage best practice across the sector , while providing qualified individuals with a professional accreditation that demonstrates assurance of high standards of practice to employers , customers and the general public .
Coronavirus delayed the launch of the course , which held just part of one three-day session in March before the restrictions came into force . There will one more opportunity to attend the course in 2021 , which will be held at the GWCT Allerton Project , in Leicestershire .
Roger Draycott , director of advisory and education at the GWCT , explains why there is not better time to refresh your training : “ There has been a lot of discussion about the impact of released game in recent months . We know that when it is done well , game management can have a positive impact on the environment , and we want as many people involved in shooting to show they ’ re doing the right thing .
“ Lots of effort is put into those gamekeepers starting out in their careers , but this is the first course aimed at more experienced individuals . This qualification is tailored for all levels of gamekeeper , as well as estate managers , landowners , shoot managers and shoot captains in fact it is aimed at everyone who has responsibility for running a shoot ” he says .
The three-day training course will include various modules in both practical and lecture-based sessions , covering predation control , gamebird releasing , shoot and land management , game crops and industry regulation .
To complete the Certificate , candidates are required to take a multiple choice and short answer exam paper at the end of the training , or the modules can be completed within a 12-month period ( over three separate one-day sessions ) for candidates that are unable to join for three consecutive days .
Greg Hopkinson , BASIS head of business development & marketing , adds that “ At BASIS we aim to improve standards in all areas of land management , with a significant focus on helping to protect the environment for a sustainable future .
“ Game shooting takes place across 14 million hectares of British countryside and to ensure that game management has a positive impact on biodiversity and the wider environment it is important that game managers follow best industry practice and meet the required standards of environmental responsibility . The BASIS Certificate in Game Management provides individuals with the knowledge and skills required so that the shoots that they manage are successful , sustainable and have a positive impact on the local landscape and wider environment .”
There is one more course in 2021 – 12th to 14th October and places are strictly limited . You can book your place here www . gwct . org . uk / events / calendar /
Northern Labels Ltd Riparian Court , Cross Hills , Keighley , BD20 7BW . www . northernlabels . co . uk Email : print @ northernlabels . co . uk
ISSUE 76 • AUG / SEP 2021
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