THE Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is currently establishing a network of Technology Demonstration Farms (TDFs) and the next application window for dairy farms, while currently open, will close soon.
The role of these farmers is to host visits and showcase the use of innovative technologies on their farms. The aim is to encourage a greater rate of technology adoption on farms in Northern Ireland as research shows that early adopters of innovations and technology play an important role in convincing their peers to take more innovative approaches.
Don Morrow, Head of Dairy, Pigs, Poultry and Crops Branch at CAFRE, says: “Our intention is to appoint six new dairy farmers. Farms will be selected under three themes namely: Feed Efficiency, Genetic Selection and Fertility Management and Dairy Replacement Heifer Rearing.
“Farmers are eligible to apply for more than one theme but can only be appointed under one theme. Two farms are being sought for each theme with appointments being made on a competitive basis. Those farmers who meet the eligibility criteria, and are short-listed, will be assessed by a panel of judges.
“Selected farms will be expected to host between eight and 12 visits per year and will receive a hosting payment of £600 for each visit.”
Dairy farmers who are interested in becoming a Technology Demonstration Farm can find out more and complete an online application at www.cafre.ac.uk/business-support/rural-development-programmes/technology-demonstration-farms/
The closing date for applications is 4pm on Wednesday, January 13.
Technology Demonstration Farms will help DAERA’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) to deliver the Innovation, Technology, Evaluation, Demonstration Scheme. This new scheme is part of the NI Rural Development Programme and is funded by DAERA and the EU.
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