The Laois and Offaly Education and Training board is seeking people to train part-time farmers in how to perform DIY Artificial Insemination or Applied Animal Ultrasound Scanning training courses. In addition the Board is seeking those who can provide training in hoof trimming.
The Education board is inviting responses to a request for tenders who can deliver these courses.
The successful training providers are estimated to train approximately 100 participants annually, running DIY Artificial Insemination (AI) training courses and/or Applied Practical Animal Ultrasound Scanning on a monthly basis.
The potential bidders will be assessed on a number of criteria including value for money, location/area served, group size catered for, availability of training facilities where applicable and reputation/experience.
The services concerned will primarily be required in the Offaly and Laois area but LOETB may require the training courses to be delivered in alternative locations. The breakdown of how many classes will run will be subject to demand.
The courses are aimed at part time farmers in the two counties with off-farm income supplementation.
”A key aim of the LOETB’s Agricultural Strategy is to ensure continuation of part-time farming despite having off-farm income or if possible, give farmers in the Laois and Offaly regions the technical skills to create their own off-farm income e.g Bovine Pregnancy Scanner.”
As part of this strategy there is an emphasis on the sustainability and viability of Irish farms and farming families for future generations by equipping farmers in the Offaly and Laois region with the ability to pregnancy scan their own animals and DIY AI as required. ”It may result in helping to significantly reduce the associated costs to their holding,” the government website e tenders states.
This course will be aimed at all 6,809 farmers in the Offaly and Laois region who may be in a position to avail of this training service on their own farms or as an off-farm income generator. This project is subject to the availability of funding and will be based on the most economically advantageous tender submitted for all the listed requirements.
The value of the contract is €214,000 and the contract duration is for 12 months.
Meanwhile a training provider with knowledge and experience in Professional Hoof Trimming is also required. The successful training provider is estimated to train approximately 100 participants annually, running Professional Hoof Trimming courses monthly. The tenders will be assessed on a number of criteria including value for money, location/area served, and group size catered for, availability of training facilities where applicable and reputation/experience.
The estimated value of this tender is also €214, 000 and the contract duration is 12 months.
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