IOTA runs events and workshops for organic trainers and advisers.

Programmes and booking forms will be uploaded on this page as they become available. Please check back here for more information.

Reports and papers from previous IOTA workshops and conferences can be accessed here.

Summer 2011 events

Profitable Management of clover leys
Save costs and improve animal performance with better clover management

Two workshops:

Monday 13 June, 10am – 4pm
Venue: Back o'Th Brook Farm, Waterfall ST10 3JA, Staffordshire
Hosted by Clive Langford-Mycock

and

Tuesday 14 June, 10am – 4pm
Venue: Pound Farm, Holme Lacy, Hereford, HR2 6LL
Hosted by Daniel Seaborne

Two one-day workshops for farmers and growers in the West Midlands area (Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire Warwickshire and Staffordshire). The workshops are for conventional and organic farmers and are open to those with many years of experience of clover as well as those new to the crop.

The workshops will be run by three of the UK’s leading specialists in clover management: Dr Heather McCalman (IBERS), Francis Dunne (Field Options) and Mark Measures (adviser, researcher and farmer) and will be held on farms growing clover leys, with an opportunity to discuss the management, grazing and conserving of clover.

Clover can supply 200 kg Nitrogen per hectare, reduce or eliminate nitrogen fertilizer use, improve stock performance from higher protein and palatability, provide fertility for following crops and reduce green house gas emissions.

These two farm based workshops will draw on 30 years’ commercial experience and the latest research in legume management to help you get the most from clover. Workshops will:

· Help you decide on the best grass and clover seed mixtures for your farm
· Provide the latest on white clover, red clover, lucerne and trefoil
· Provide information on establishment, nutrient requirements, conservation and grazing
· Show how you can save costs and reduce your carbon footprint

Costs and booking form available here, or contact Sarah at iota@organicadvice.org.uk.

These workshops are run by IOTA and funded by Graig Producers and LANTRA.

Training for trainers

Instructional Techniques four-day course run by AtLast. This widely recognised course provides good training in participative techniques and is the basic qualification for trainers.

For: anyone who wishes to learn training techniques and course planning or to instruct Lantra Awards Courses.

Date: Individuals may register on one of the ongoing programme of IT courses but if there is sufficient interest IOTA will organise a course specifically for organic specialists.

Details, costs and registration: AtLast, Daffodil House, 4 Welford Road Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 3HX.
Tel: 07867 908196

Contact Sarah Jameson, IOTA (iota@organicadvice.org.uk) or telephone 01547 528546 if you would like us to arrange a trainers course specifically for organic advisers.

Future IOTA courses
Priorities for future IOTA courses that have been identified by advisers and trainers are as follows:
Soil Analysis: Options and Interpretation
Soil Management
Co-ordination of Farmer/Adviser R&D
Animal Nutrition
Advising on Diversification and Processing
Environmental and Wildlife Information and Management