Group monitoring, a basis for decision making and technology transfer on sheep and beef farms

Abstract

Group farm monitoring is a team approach to technology transfer involving farmers, consultants and researchers. Biological and financial components of farm production are monitored to provide data for decision making and a knowledge of the farm which is shared among the group.Scientists from the Whatawhata Research Centre (WRC) provide comparative information and relevant technology. Production gains on the monitor farms have been achieved within 3 years and further gains are possible. Group farmers benefit from renewed enthusiasm in farming and an increased interest in new technology. Key success factors are group ownership of decisions and outcomes and the credibility of consultants and scientists who are seen to stand by the technology delivered. MAF Technology consultants initiated farm monitoring in the Northland area and have benefited as have farmers through the WRC contact, which provides a broad spectrum of information from a multi-disciplined research group. Based on the Northland success, group farm monitoring has been accepted as a model for technology transfer throughout New Zealand. Keywords group farm monitoring, information, decision making, technology transfer