A TRAINING body which focuses on the farming, forestry and horticultural sectors is celebrating a successful first year.

LandSkills in Yorkshire and Humber has spent over £360,000 helping 870 people improve their skills on more than 1400 training days.

David Hugill, North Yorkshire farmer and regional chairman, cut a celebratory anniversary cake during a meeting at the Crown Inn, Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge.

He urged those eligible to enjoy their slice of the 80pc- funded training cake and highlighted how training can also benefit the environment and public.

A fertiliser course – one of 32 projects held during the year – attracted farmers who jointly bought at least 2,000 tonnes a year.

Mr Hugill said: “Inappropriate applications can increase emissions of nitrous oxides which are around 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

“Funding a course like this helps farmers to improve the application of fertiliser, therefore reducing the amount farmers spend as well as emissions.”

Graham Bulmer, of the Farmer and Churches Rural Commission (CRC) based at Thirsk auction mart, said they encouraged farmers to take part.

Church facilities have been made available for training venues and events at auction marts had even included free health checks.

CRC has encouraged farmers to share knowledge and recently brought together a group keen to install a hydro electric system. They arranged a farm visit to see one in action.

Carrick Armer of Yorwoods said his organisation had contacted around 700 foresters via e-mail and post to tell them of courses available.

Greville Worthington of Brough Park, who runs the Sunday market at Catterick Racecourse, had attended a charcoal making course with his staff. They now produce their own for sale at the market.

The meeting then visited Minskip dairy farmer Robert Graham who, through LandSkills, has completed the official Herdsman Certificate.

He was so impressed with the training that he gives talks about it to other farmers.

“If a farm down the road is doing well then it is better to talk to them and find out what they are doing differently and find out why by sharing the knowledge,” he said.

“Technical performance is key, therefore training and recognition of these skills is essential because enhancing our technical performance can lead to greater profits.”

The herdsmans certificate was the idea of Ripon-based Bishopton Vets who are rolling it out nationally via the national XL Vets network.