A TRAINING event to ensure smallholders are up-to-date with livestock legislation will take place at Kingston Maurward College.
The session, a joint venture between the college, Trading Standards, Synergy Farm Health and Mole Country Stores, takes place on Thursday (May 28) from 4pm-8pm.
It will offer smallholders a range of practical help; as well as legislation training there will be live demonstrations run by vets on health and nutrition for sheep, pigs, cattle and poultry.
Industry experts will be on hand to offer specialist advice, trade stands showing equipment that may be useful to smallholders and all those attending will get a hot pasty and tea or coffee.
Andy Daw, assistant principal at Kingston Maurward College, suggested it could become a regular event.
He said: "Smallholding is very popular, and it is really essential that all smallholders understand the legislation and welfare codes that apply to them. By working with Trading Standards and Mole Valley Country Stores we are hoping to create a regular event that supports Dorset’s smallholders."
Abbie Brister, smallholder coordinator at Synergy Farm Health, said the company was pleased to be involved.
She said: "It’s an opportunity for smallholders to come along and learn about what legislation is relevant to the particular species they work with and what it means for them.
"This event will also be useful for any smallholders who are considering branching out into a new species and want to brush up on relevant legislation first.
"One of the Synergy Farm Health vets will be on hand to answer questions and one of our vet technicians will be there talking about livestock handling skills.
"We run a smallholders package here at Synergy and getting involved in events like this forms part of that work.”
Tickets, costing £10, are available from Mole Country Stores, Dorchester.
However, the ticket itself includes a short questionnaire which can be exchanged on the day for a £10 Mole Valley voucher. Mole Country Stores supply products to the rural community across the country.
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