Abstract

The paper discusses an example of integration of social research and extension delivery. It will outline the steps that were taken and who was involved in developing an extension project within the theme area of “natural mating on dairy farms”.

The approach and findings will be provided from the needs analysis both with farmers and a key service provider on this topic, veterinarians. The range of information needs identified were analysed for commonality and four main ones defined. For these, a number of technical experts were asked whether the information was available or there was an information gap. For information identified as available material was collated as well as farmer preferences considered on how it could be best provided. There were differing farmer views on how they would like information on some of the topics. This created a dilemma for the work because resources meant that a particular approach needed to be selected. Material collated was turned into concise fact sheets suitable for a use in a range of ways. The type of extension approach best suited to the farmer preferences will be outlined and the contrasting approaches suited to the different needs described.

Farmers were then part of reviewing the information and approaches proposed.

The focus of the paper is on describing the approach and findings in relation to extension design. Lessons and insights gained by the diverse team involved in this work will be outlined in the paper.

Keywords

extension, approach, needs analysis, delivery

Introduction

A study was initiated at the request of the Reproduction Research Team at Dexcel in Hamilton, New Zealand. The focus was to develop the foundation and scope for extension to support dairy farmers’ with the natural mating and bull management phases of their cow reproduction. This research team stated that part of the reason for this topic being selected was the understanding that if natural mating on dairy farms is highly successful then the need for inductions will be reduced.

The study was undertaken by a multi-disciplined team including social researchers and extension officers. As part of the study there was significant input gained from dairy farmers and veterinarians. As some of the project team were from an extension agency the infrastructure was already in place for deliver. This project did not include placing the material and recommendations into extension deliver. It went as far as gaining feedback on the fit of the material gathered to farmer needs and the feedback on the planned approaches from the participating farmers.

Working with an extension agency to develop a pathway from clearly defined extension needs right through to widespread sharing and extension deliver resulting in learning and improved farmer practice is another phase. The approaches used in this study are applicable for starting this type of interaction.

Approach

This study utilised exploratory research methods in both one and one and group settings. Interviews were completed with a range of farmers about their information needs, and preferences for how this information could be provided. This was all focused on the natural mating and bull management. The farmers were selected to represent a variety of reproduction systems, such as AI only, natural mating only or combination (which is most common). Farmers from a variety of farm sizes and geographic locations were interviewed.

During each of the one on one interviews farmers constructed a diagram of their views of a dairy farm reproduction system based on a set of eight word cards on the topic and blank ones they could write on and add to the diagram. They were also asked to draw arrows or linkages between the various concepts (Tarbotton and Bramley, 2003). During the interviews another series of questions were asked to determine the farmer’s information needs. There was a range of needs identified as shown in figure 1 however for many of them it was possible to link them to a common theme along with those from other farmers.

Veterinarians were considered to be a key informant to dairy farmers about natural mating and bull management. For this reason within this study they were consulted about their views and the needs they had as support providers and advisors to farmers. This was done in focus groups as one part of a larger gathering of dairy veterinarians. They also individually responded to a questionnaire about how they viewed the current situation, what advice farmers seek from them and what support they would like to receive.

Results

In order to analyse the findings from the range of farmer interviews, undertaken by three different members of the project team, it was valuable to cluster the information needs into themes to focus the next stage of collating information to satisfy the needs identified. From this clustering 4 key themes of farmer needs were identified.

Figure 1: Information needs of dairy farmers related to natural mating

From the interview material and using the clusters and links developed and shown in figure 1, four themes were selected and are shown in table format below. These became the specifications for finding out if information was available on these topics and if so putting it into a format suitable to answer the questions. If information searches did not find suitable information approaches were made to researchers to find out it research had been undertaken on the topics, if not it was classified as a research gap and documented so it could be considered as part of future applications.

Table 1: Key dairy farmer information needs described in themes

Primary Themes under which farmers sought information

Bull Ratios How many bulls do I need at different stages of mating? But need to be clear if the ratio is based on total cows OR non-mated cows Also is there different ratios needed for heifers compared with cows

Bull Selection How do I go about selecting bulls most suited to my farming system? What bulls are most suited to heifers? How do I know the bulls I select will perform and are healthy?

Day to day Management How do I go about getting the best performance from my bulls? What “system” or “day-to-day routines” should I adopt? Aiming to: ensure human safety minimise cow/bull injury understanding handling facilities required to handle bulls find out the best ways to introduce bulls onto farm and into herd, as well as their exit know what policies are best for the resting/rotation of bulls understand routines/systems to avoid bull lameness

Whether to breed, lease or buy bulls Information including management and financial considerations while taking into account bull source reliability and bull suitability.

On the first three topics information was able to be accessed fairly readily however there was almost no information available on the fourth theme. A recommendation was made that a review is commissioned to satisfy the need farmers had of supporting information on whether they are best to breed, lease of buy bulls.

Veterinarians went through a similar process to the farmers except that they were in small groups and the farmers were interviewed individually. The systems diagrams they produced were strongly defined by stock class and chronological time compared to the farmers which were strongly farm systems based and related to production. Veterinarians had clearly defined ideas on research gaps and as a group identified felt strongly about the need for further biophysical research. Research gaps they stated were in the areas of bull selection for favourable traits such as shorter gestation, ease of calving, low aggression; bull viability and health testing and optimum bull management systems.

The questionnaire results showed that veterinarian’s thought their dairy farming clients had a moderate level of understanding and level of management of bulls. However when asked to place their farmer clients into categories they rated 25% of them as very poor. On top of this veterinarians felt that farmers received less support than needed in their bull management. For most vets only between 5 and 10% of their dairy clients sought advice from them about bull management with comments made that farmers would tend to ask when you were at the farm for other purposes. In their own roles they also felt like they needed more support in the area of bull management. A small number felt that they needed to be more proactive with farmers when talking about bulls and include natural mating in any “reproduction planning” they do with the farmer.

Veterinarians were pleased to be asked their views and were extremely interested in the needs farmer identified. Some stated a view that the support they provided to farmers had become problem based and reactionary whereas they felt they could make a larger contribution through proactive planning and management with farmers.

The interaction and roles of the extension agency and veterinarians was not clear and more interaction could be beneficial for both parties. Both had an appetite for concise up to date practical information especially if it was available at the time of the year most appropriate.

Conclusions

The way this study was undertaken was totally new for the extension agency. By the end of the study those associated with it were strong advocates. The benefits they saw related to gaining a better understanding of the need prior to the time of year or stage it is needed.

This approach enabled a clear set of information needs to be specified with some very strong common themes emerging. The complexity of managing the farm systems was revealed in examples some farmers gave during the interviews. There was diversity in how farmers preferred the information/support to be supplied. Often one of the ways involved written material and the other involved some form of social interaction to accompany the information which allowed discussion and refinement to suit their situation. The seasonal timing of any support on natural mating was consider crucial by farmers.

The collaborative project team enabled interaction of social scientists and extension professionals each with their views and tools to contribute (Bramley et.al. 2003). Extension had the farmer networks as well as the very practical perspective. The social scientist ensured there was a rigorous process. They also provided tools and approaches which enabled farmers to contribute and their contribution to be analysed and used to form the basis of an extension response.

References

Bramley, M.; Botha, C.A.J.; Tarbotton, I.S. (2003). Using social research methods in extension planning. APEN Conference, Tasmania Australia (in press).

Tarbotton, I.S.; Bramley, M. (2003). A process to identify farmer needs, and different perspectives between farmers and change agents in relation to natural mating on dairy farms. 1st Australian Farming Systems Conference, Toowoomba, Queensland.