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Agricultural Extension: a review and case study in the Tasmanian dairy farming sector

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conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 05:23 authored by La Grange, RF, Titterton, M, Mann, EM, Haynes, CM
Agricultural extension aims to improve farmers' capability, capacity and adaptability so as to farm in a sustainable and profitable way in a world of constant change and ongoing challenges. Extension is adult education achieved through the organised exposure of adults voluntarily to the thoughts, ideas, concepts and practices both of their peers as well as of professionals with relevant knowledge and experience. Government funding of extension has been steadily reduced and funding for extension is increasingly sourced from farmer levies and other private funding agencies. Funders, including the public sector, have become more insistent that funded extension programs need to demonstrate their effectiveness, measured largely as on-farm practice change. The Pasture Plu$ project was a three-year extension project (2005 - 2008) aimed at improving Tasmanian dairy farmers' business skills over a range of farm management areas. An evaluation of the project concluded that significant potential for practice change had been achieved. This paper explores the efficacy of the Pasture Plu$ project from an educational perspective and argues that in terms of adult learning principles, the project content and delivery has equipped farmers with practical information enabling them to make practice changes to ensure ongoing viability and profitability for their farm businesses.

History

Publication title

Proceedings of the 4th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium

Pagination

261-264

ISBN

978-0-86476-230-6

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

Caxton Press

Place of publication

Christchurch, New Zealand

Event title

Australasian Dairy Science Symposium: Meeting the Challenges for Pasture-Based Dairying

Event Venue

Lincoln University, New Zealand

Date of Event (Start Date)

2010-08-31

Date of Event (End Date)

2010-09-02

Rights statement

Copyright 2010 Caxton Press

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Other animal production and animal primary products not elsewhere classified

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