[CarolineR]

Hi everyone,
 
For those who have not already seen previous posts, SAC have gained funding to run a short "pilot scheme" of free stock-keeping courses to help smallholders increase their knowledge over the next year.
 
Starting this autumn, courses are intended to cover pig-keeping, pig diseases and welfare, goat keeping, goat diseases and welfare, and sheep-keeping, sheep diseases and EID tagging.
 
These are pilot courses - this means that, if they are successful, then further funding will be made available for future courses (supply is likely to be tailored to demand - meaning that other courses may be available if requested, we can produce a wide range of educational materials). So - as I need to show that funding is needed, I would love your input so I can get a rough "map" of demand!
 
We'll be at SSGF with a stall (Scottish Agricultural College or "SAC") and you can sign up for updates in your area by email - but I would really, really appreciate it if anyone not able to make SSGF and who would be interested in free courses in their area could post underneath here with the following:
 
Species of interest (pig/goat/sheep only for now please - we'll certainly take suggestions later too)
Rough area (you don't need to post a specific place - "Fife" or "Borders East" or "Central Belt West" etc is fine
 
The courses will be supply and demand to begin with - if we get enough people to mean a free course is worthwhile in an area, we will do our very best to make sure that this does happen, so please post or alternatively, message me your email for the free courses updates, or come and see us at SSGF for tea/coffee/chat and to tell us what you want. If we find that there is low or no demand for a particular course or in a particular area, then we'll steer clear of those areas.
 
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to previous post with suggestions. TAS is a fantastic community and without a doubt provides the best collective voice for smallholders in Scotland.
 
If anyone wants information on other free courses which are aimed mainly at farmers, or on reasonably priced courses like the yearly lambing course I can provide those as well.
 
Thanks everyone,
 
Caroline
 
 
 
 

[Anke]

Caroline, will try and catch you at Forfar next week (eek , have to get the goats ready...). In general any animal husbandry course in Borders, or Central region would be of interest.

[Dans]

Do you need to have livestock already, or is an interest sufficient?

Dans

[Mays]

Of particular interest in Goats & Sheep - NE Scot, but can travel Perth area
 

[CarolineR]

Interest in livestock is certainly sufficient!
It really would be great actually if we got some people who don't yet have the livestock, so we can show that the course is not only useful to those who already have them, it is useful to those who are considering it - it will provide a good welfare basis from which to build. People considering smallholding might find it useful to go to free courses on pigs, goats and sheep, to see which might suit their situation best.
 
Plus I would hope that the meetings would encourage membership of the SPKA and the Goat Keeper's Federation (communication and community building is something we really believe in, which is why we like TAS so much!) and also provide a wee social platform for people who are thinking of getting livestock to meet people who already have. And to meet vets and agricultural consultants who have an interest in smallholding and smallholders (current SAC courses are usually held on agricultural premises or at veterinary practices with opportunities for a good chat with the hosts which is nice).

[Dans]

In which case I register my interest. In the Midlothian area but can travel!

Dans

[HappyHippy]

Could I also register interest in both courses please 

I'll hopefully get a chance to speak to you in Forfar next week, but in case I don't my email is [email protected]
I'm in Lanarkshire, currently keeping pigs 
Karen

[clydesdaleclopper]

Goats and sheep with courses based in Aberdeenshire would be of interest to me. I can't travel too far because of my little ones.

[Big Light]

Hope to catch at Forfar but interested from the kinross area

[Mammyshaz]

Poultry slaughter and dressing would be good for me in north east England. Perhaps even  poultry slaughter licence training ) guess it isnt really classed as livestock 
( and I would consider other livestock and land management courses designed for absolute beginner )

[Ina]

Poultry slaughter and dressing would be good for me in north east England.

I don't know how far north you are - but the SAC probably doesn't get money to hold courses in England. And some of the legal requirements might be different, too.

[lachlanandmarcus]

Sheep diseases plus sheep and goat husbandry would be of interest to me, I am in Aberdeenshire.

[Simon O]

Yes interested in pigs, sheep, goats - West Central belt

[The Lint Mill]

HI
Based in South Lanarkshire also, pigs, sheep and poultry so would be interested in all courses as we are also thinking about adding goats in the future.

Colin
[email protected]

[Brucklay]

Although I will try and see you at SSGF - I'll post here in case I get side tracked!! Although I have sheep and goats already still want to learn and keep up to date on them but am planning on pigs next year so all 3 any anything to do with for me please - Aberdeenshire - thanks