Discussion Groups: 5,000 dairy and 7,000 beef farmers to be accepted this year
The Department of Agriculture’s new Knowledge Transfer Scheme will be opened to farmers 5,000 dairy and 7,000 beef farmers this year.
Sheep farmers will not be able to participate in the first tranche of the Department of Agricultures new Knowledge Transfer Scheme as the current Sheep Technology and Adoption Programme (STAP) will continue until the end of 2015.
The Department has prioritised the beef, dairy and equine sectors, with the process having commenced on April 30, 2015 by way of a call for expressions of interest to all qualified advisors.
The initial expression of interest for advisors will close on May 22.
Following this the Department expects to open the initial tranche under the three priority sectors to qualified advisors who have expressed an interest in May, with groups being formed shortly thereafter. Scheme participation will commence in July.
Further tranches will open later this year with commencement dates of early 2016 planned.
It is expected that the initial tranche will be opened to 5,000 dairy and 7,000 beef farmers with a further 500 for those in the equine sector.
