Norfolk Young Farmers are to take up the challenge and rear Norfolk Black turkeys for Christmas over the coming weeks.
Backing the scheme is awarding winning turkey producer James Graham who is supplying the turkeys for the trial which is being run as a course by the Young Farmers and starts in September. This innovative scheme will give new entrants to agriculture the opportunity to explore different markets with the aim to help them assess business decisions, costings and potential new avenues for diversification.
The course will introduce them to poultry keeping, in particular turkeys, as an extra income for new entrants to farming and provide them with skills, knowledge and experience of the industry. Financial planning such as costs involved with feed and business evaluation including breakeven point of new venture and actual running costs will also be covered.
Mr Graham will supply a stag and a hen to 12 teams of the Norfolk senior clubs at the start of the course and provide training on how to feed and look after the turkeys on a day to day basis. Mr Graham , who is the grandson of Frank Peele, who saved the Norfolk Black from extinction, will be on hand as a mentor and to deal with any poultry problems.
Michael Mack, Director of the Rural Enterprise Hub at Easton College and Landskills East said
“ The skills the young farmers will be picking up through raising these birds and then getting them ready for Christmas will last with them for many years to come. LandSkills East is delighted to inspire innovative training and this course exemplifies this”
Mr Graham of Rookery Farm ,Thuxton, near Dereham in Norfolk said
‘ It really is a great opportunity for these teams to understand the industry, to gain the skills to prepare the birds for Christmas. I am delighted to be involved in the project and look forward to helping participants through the coming months’
The scheme has attracted support from Landskills East, which is part of Defra’s rural development programme.
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