ON FARM SOUTHERN CATTLE AND SHEEP BUILDING CAPABILITY Hands‑on learning The Ladies in Livestock Responsive program design initiative is driving on‑farm Meetings were initially held monthly, but Georgie’s tips for starting practice change as it builds moved to being held seasonally at the your own technical group for skills, knowledge and request of participants, as the drought women in agriculture confidence among participants. has stretched on‑farm resources. 1. Identify the need and keep it at A key feature is that meetings are held the forefront of your planning – Formed in the Northern Tablelands in our case, the need was for region of NSW in 2016, Ladies in between 9.30am and 2pm, so members a women’s group and they Livestock is an initiative of the Northernresponsible for school‑aged children stipulated they wanted it to be Tablelands Local Land Services (LLS). can fit their training in between meeting for learning technical information. school buses and, if they have to drive The on‑farm training program, supported through town to a meeting venue, have 2. Do what works for your by MLA sponsorship, is designed to time to do a few jobs in town as well. group – many women care for empower women by building their children, so be aware of fitting technicalknowledge and confidence “I think the reason the group has been workshops within school hours. inthe paddock and stockyards. so successful is that we listen and are Meeting once a month might be prepared to be guided in the direction too often when resources are LLS pasture agronomist Georgie Oakes the group wants,” Georgie said. stretched, such as in the current has been a driver of the initiative, whichWant to join? dry conditions. grew out of her observations that regular field days weren’t well‑attended Georgie said anyone interested in 3. Keep listening and be flexible by women. joining a technical group for women if the groupwants to move in in agriculture should start by checking a new direction – for example, From the initial pilot group at Guyra, thewith their LLS office to see what’s technology has become program has grown to include groups at already running in their area. increasingly important, so as Inverell, Tenterfield and Walcha. enterprises are evolving, they “While we’re the only region to deliver want to know more about “We have about 600 women registered the Ladies in Livestock brand, our technology. across the four groups, and we neighbouring LLS regions do have generally get about 25 participants at other programs aimed at upskilling 4. Be inclusive – don’t stipulate each meeting,” Georgie said. women in agriculture. The more that you have to be a certain programs out there helping women, type of producer, or have a Meetings are held the better,” Georgie said. certain size farm to be involved. on local farms and Also, one of our ladies is in “The key to Ladies in Livestock, and a wheelchair and we make encompass practical where it differs from other women’s sure she is accommodated sessions on topics such support programs, is the hands‑on, wherever we are. practical farm‑management training. 5. Follow up – send out a as livestock management, We’re keen to ensure all Ladies in follow‑up email with resources pasture identification, Livestock groups keep this at the core. attendees may have missed at biosecurity, pest control, “The group provides a great social the meeting such as handouts, outlet, but it’s not a traditional social links or apps mentioned by financial administration, group. We only deliver information a presenter. health and safety, and based on best practice and backed the environment. by science.” ■ Presenters include LLS staff members Georgie Oakes and external experts, including animal T: 0429 310 264 nutritionists, NSW police and MLA staff. E: georgie.oakes@lls.nsw.gov.au Each meeting ends with completion of facebook.com/ladiesinlivestock an evaluation form that asks: ‘Will you use and adopt what you learned today on your farm in the future?’ “When I see the women at the next meeting, they’ll say ‘I implemented that and it made this easier’ or ‘I’ve done that – what can I do next?’” Georgie said. 30