Farmers must let the scientists and training bodies know exactly what kind of research and training they want, to avoid being offered inappropriate research and training in the future, according to Defra's Dr John Sherlock and Harper Adams University College principal professor Wynne Jones.

Both urged delegates at the British Grassland Society's winter meeting at Bristol to become actively involved in the decision making process, so that researchers and educationalists can provide information and courses that will really help farm businesses succeed.

"Government has made it quite clear that it wants the industry and farmers, to play a more prominent role in identifying its research needs," said Dr Sherlock. "The recently reinstated Research Priorities Group will be talking to stakeholders over the next year, to gather views and ideas on what research is needed, reporting back to Defra in the first half of 2005. This is a real chance to influence the research agenda, and get the scientists doing work that farmers really want, rather than what researchers think they need.

"BGS, with its links to all the local grassland societies, is in a ideal situation to consult its members, pool ideas and then take these forward. BGS should go and talk to the appropriate people at Defra - the door is open and they will listen."

Professor Jones had a similar message - saying that training must be demand driven: "There are lots of people ready and willing to give training at all levels, but we need to know who needs what. The ball is in the court of the industry to say what it thinks its youngsters need to be trained to do.

"As far as post college training goes, we need to understand the blockages and barriers that prevent farm businesses from developing. Then we can provide appropriate training to overcome these, be they technical or managerial.

"The industry needs to work together to define what the training priorities are. I also see local grassland societies playing a key role here - they are in a good position to feed their views back through the BGS. Groups like these could also hold the key to organising farmers into relevant groups for learning, knowledge transfer and business development processes."