Lot 2 – Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
General information relating to Themed Groups (TGs):
- TGs are short-term, topic specific peer-to-peer learning groups
- They are designed to provide farmers with focused technical knowledge and practical support.
- Groups will be recruited and formed by the Buyer with the Supplier allocating facilitators to groups.
- They complement Business Sustainability Groups (BSGs), which adopt a longer-term, whole-farm approach.
- Duration: 18-24 months per TG
- Meetings: 5 and 12 meetings over the lifetime of the group (equivalent to 3-6 meetings per year, depending on theme).
- Groups size: Between 15 – 30 participants.
- Meeting typically last 2-3 hours, often evenings, and are usually hosted on members’ farms and will take place at a time that suits participants, with a significant proportion expected to take place in the evening to accommodate those working off-farm
TGs focus on priority themes linked to DAERA policy objectives. A list of indicative group themes and delivery timeline is provided at Annex A and summarised below:
Themed Group | Indicative Content |
Suckler Cow Fertility | Reducing Calving Interval Calving heifers at 2 years old Understanding fertility KPIs Cow health |
Water Quality | Run-off risks Riparian buffers, Manure management P-Balance |
Genetic Improvement* | Replacement Index Terminal Index Dairy Beef Index (DBI) Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) |
* differs from Bovine Genetic training in Lot 1 as assumes that participants have completed this training and group delivery focuses on using the information based on farmers own herds to make breeding decisions.
TGs differ from conventional training in that they provide opportunities for farmers facing similar issues to come together, share knowledge and experiences, and learn from one another in a structured group setting. Knowledge transfer is supported by an experienced / qualified facilitator who is also responsible for mentoring to help participants apply learning to their own farm business / enterprise.
There is no formal assessment of learning within TGs. However, participants are expected to contribute to group discussions, share information about their farm practices, and use lessons learned to improve farm performance.
