The 'Knowledge Transfer Group' was set up to facilitate better communication between the levy bodies, raise awareness of each levy body's communication strategies and activities, and to share ideas, knowledge, experience and resources.

THE GOALS OF THE GROUP ARE TO:

• add value and increase efficiency to each levy body's activities and their work within the industry
• explore and provide joined up messages to the industry where possible
• prevent duplication
• share best practice and therefore benefit from a wider pool of knowledge, experience and resources.

The group is made up of specialists from each levy body who meet twice a year but are in regular contact by telephone and email between meetings.  Representatives from the NFU are also invited to attend these meetings so that the value of sharing experiences and exploring ideas is extended still further.

EXAMPLES OF KEY DISCUSSION AREAS:

• improving communication with levy-payers (email, text messaging)
• targeting and improving attendance at events for levy-payers
• resource management and best practice costings
• health and safety, biosecurity
• making the most of research project reports (reporting guidelines)
• soil management and protection, waste management regulations and the Water Framework Directive
• nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs), pesticides and residues, LTAEUs and SOLAs
• monitor farms, decision support systems, precision farming, weather data and forecasting.

SOME JOINT LEVY-BODY EVENTS:

1. 'Nutrient management and the role of organic manures' -workshop for growers hosted by HGCA and MLC in Driffield, East Yorkshire on 25th May 2004.

2. 'Water and catchment sensitive farming' - workshop for ARF members organised by BPC on 8th June 2004 to discuss new legislation and its implications for water abstractors.

3. 'Sustainable use of organic wastes on agricultural land' - workshop held at Harper Adams College on 7th and 8th September 2004, involving ARF members, Defra, the Environment Agency, research institutes, water boards and representatives of the agricultural industry.

4. 'Nutrition and management for improving pig health and productivity' - conference organised by HGCA, MLC and the Society of Feed Technologists for animal nutritionists on 4th November 2004.

5. 'Waste management regulations and their impact on agriculture and horticulture' - technical discussion meetings between levy bodies, Defra and NFU on 11th March 2005 and 23rd September 2005.

6. 'Soil-Borne Viruses' - workshop for researchers, advisors and growers hosted by HGCA, BBRO, BPC, HDC and Rothamsted Research Association on 21st October 2005 at Oundle, near Peterborough.

7. 'Manage your soils: grow your business' - workshop organised by the ARF to be held on 15th and 16th November 2005 at Rothamsted Research.  For further information and to book a place click on:
http://www.appliedresearchforum.org.uk/events.output/11/11/Events/Events/Events%20Calendar.mspx

SOME JOINT LEVY-BODY PUBLICATIONS:

1. 'Soil and crop management issues' - booklet joint funded by HGCA and BPC, circulated in Crops on 18th September 2004 to 25,000 growers and agronomists. Click here to download:
http://www.hgca.com/document.aspx?fn=load&media_id=1355&publicationId=1659

2. 'Pig Producers must be on their guard' - joint BPEX and HGCA 'Tech talk' fact sheet on grain quality, grain contaminants and good storage practice in October 2004 edition of Pig World.  Click here to download:
http://www.appliedresearchforum.org.uk/publications/documents/Tech_Talk_Oct_04_Pig_World.pdf

3. HGCA and PGRO Recommended Lists - the 'NIAB/PGRO Recommended List for Pulses 2005' was included on the HGCA Recommended Lists CD-ROM for the first time in February 2005.

For further information about the work of the ARF Knowledge Transfer Group please contact: hgca@appliedresearchforum.org.uk