PROfarm

List of scheduled courses

PROfarm courses are delivered locally by highly skilled and respected NSW DPI staff. Many of the courses are subsidised to reflect the public benefits provided by the adoption of more sustainable farming practices. On-demand courses, tailored to the specific needs of individual groups, are also available.

Which courses are eligible for FarmReady reimbursement grants?

Show list in: Alphabetical Order | Categories

Name	Description
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) handling	A course for those wanting to develop their skills in the safe use of four wheeled motor bikes.
Alpaca care and management	This course is designed for property owners interested in breeding alpacas.
Animal health risk management - introduction	A workshop to assist participants to develop and implement a disease risk management plan for their farm or enterprise.
Beef care and handling	A course designed for property owners wishing to learn a range of practical tasks associated with the handling, breeding and caring for cattle on the farm.
Beef-N-Omics	This 3 day course for commercial beef producers will show how to maximise beef production from the breeding herd.
Beekeeping as a business	A course designed to enable beekeepers to make the transition of keeping honey bees from a hobby to a business.
Beginning in Bees	A practical beekeeping course for new and established beekeepers.
Better bull buying	This 1 day course will improve confidence in selecting and buying bulls that suit the beef enterprise and markets and improve herd reproductive rates.
Biological control of weeds	This workshop is designed for land managers and natural resource officers who are involved in the control of weeds.
Blackberry identification	A course designed for those who wish to gain the skills in the identification and monitoring of blackberry.
Brushcutter operation
Calculating cost of production for your beef enterprise	A workshop for beef producers to identify the cost of production for their enterprise to improve decision-making and maximise profits.
Centre pivot and lateral move irrigation systems	A course designed for growers /managers who are considering purchasing or who have purchased centre pivot and lateral move irrigation systems.
Chainsaw - Fall trees manually - (basic)	A 2 day course on how to safely and efficiently fall trees, taking into account environmental requirements.
Chainsaw - Trim & cross-cut felled trees	This course will show participants how to safely operate and maintain a chainsaw for removing a fallen tree using a range of cutting techniques.
Chainsaw operation and maintenance	A practical course for those seeking basic chainsaw cross-cutting (cutting timber on ground) and maintenance skills.
Conservation farming	A course designed for farmers who have an interest in conservation farming.
Coordinate and facilitate distance-based learning	This 1 day course covers skills required to establish and manage distance-based learning.
Dairy people focus groups - one day course	The aim of the one day course is to introduce farmers and interested advisors to the people in Dairy approach and principles and present the suite of online resources available. The one day course will be an introduction to the more intensive three day course and will outline how participating in this course can develop a people action plan for your dairy farm business.
Dairy people focus groups - three day course	This three day workshop will provide dairy farmers with the opportunity to determine the key issues for there farm and develop an action plan for improving productivity, people retention and become an employer of first choice.
Design learning programs	This 2 day course is for those who design and develop learning programs. Using Training Packages, you will gain the skills to design, develop and evaluate a learning program with appropriate benchmarks to meet an identified need for a group of learners.
Dohne ram breeding and selection	A course for Dohne Sheep breeders and agricultural consultations to develop a breeding program encompassing practical selection and assessment based on the Dohne breeding objective.
Drought recovery strategies - PROfarm course	This course is aimed at the basic strategies that need to be considered to successfully recover from drought with a focus on pasture and livestock.
Electric fencing	This one-day introductory course is ideal for the small property owner or primary producer who wants to learn how to maintain and construct their own electric fences.
Facilitate group-based learning	One-day course; fee: $285. Home study available.
Facilitate learning	This 3 day course is for those who organise and deliver work-based learning programs for groups and individuals. You will develop skills and knowledge to prepare learning resources, support materials and learning activities for both individuals and group learning and to evaluate the effectiveness of your programs.
Faecal egg counts for worms	A course for those interested in managing internal parasites and worms in their livestock.
Farm planning	A course for land managers and farming families interested in natural resource management for sustainable farm production.
Farm water supply and climate risk - PROfarm course	This course examines managing climate risk and the fundamental requirements of farm water supply including water auditing and planning, supply in drought and water quality.
Farmer's guide to managing climate risk	This 1 day course will help farmers and graziers and other land managers to reduce risk by allowing them to monitor and effectively incorporate weather and climate information into farm decision making.
Farming in a changing climate	A three day workshop spread over 6 weeks to assist landholders prepare and adapt their property for climate risk.
Feeding the milk business	A course for those working in the dairy industry to improve their management of dairy feeding programs.
Fencing conventional	An introductory course for those seeking basic fencing knowledge and skills.
Forklift licence preparation	A course to prepare participants for assessment for a WorkCover forklift licence.
Getting started with environmental management in viticulture	A course to assist wine grape growers improve their environmental management through the use of an environmental assessment tool.
Goat care and management	This course is designed for property owners interested in breeding goats.
Grapevine nutrition - Research to Practice�	A two day course to assist growers develop a grapevine nutrition program.
Healthy soils and healthy landscape	A course designed for farmers and land managers to improve soil health and soil nutrient management.
Heavy horse care and handling	An introductory heavy horse care and handling course for first-time owners or those thinking of purchasing.
Horse care and handling	An introductory horse handling course for those buying their first horse or who are first horse owners.
Identification and management of native grass pastures for agriculture and conservation	A 1 day course to assist landholders to identify native grasses, understand why these grasses best fit into an agricultural landscape and learn how to manage these grasses for agriculture and conservation.
Integrated pest management (IPM) in viticulture - Research to Practice�	A two and a half day course to assist wine grape growers develop a plan for the management of target pests.
International Seed Testing Association seed sampling procedures	A course designed for those wishing to gain practical skills in seed sampling.
Introduction to environmental management systems (EMS)	This 2 day course introduces participants to the concept of an EMS, highlights the benefits of sustainable agriculture and assists farmers to develop their own EMS.
Introduction to irrigation pump performance	This one day course for irrigators and other users of irrigation pumps can improve their knowledge, understanding and operation of their pumps and learn how to improve pump performance.
Introduction to organic farming	This course is designed for property owners interested in growing produce organically.
Introduction to pastures	An introductory course that addresses the basics of pasture establishment, pasture varieties for different conditions and management of pastures for livestock production.
Introduction to property planning	A course for landholders on the basic principles, practices and benefits of property management planning.
Irrigated lucerne for profit	A 2 day course that provides the knowledge and skills required to grow and market irrigated lucerne efficiently and profitably.
Lamb assessment and marketing	A 1 to1� day course for lamb producers, lamb buyers and livestock agents to understand markets for lamb products, specifications for major markets, production techniques for producing lambs to meet market specifications and assessment of lambs for carcase weight and fat score.
LANDSCAN�	This course, held over 5 half-days and 1 full day, farmers and land managers develop skills and knowledge to assess natural resources to better match land use to land capability and to make more informed decisions about managing landscapes and allocating resources to better balance production, profit and sustainability.
Management of trunk disease and young vine decline	This course will give participants an understanding of the impact of trunk disease on vineyard health and assets
Managing land capability, soil erosion and ground cover	This course covers the issues associated with soil erosion and groundcover during a drought by identifying the risks, developing field assessment skills and addressing management strategies.
Managing pastures for profit	A course designed for those dairy farmers who want to increase profitability and productivity on their farm.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) workshop	A course designed for staff of Catchment Management Authorities, and organisations working in agriculture and natural resource management.
Native plant and weed look-alikes	A course for those who want to learn how to recognise and distinguish between common native plants and environmental weeds of coastal NSW. A jargon-free practical course for landcarers, landholders and others involved with the natural environment.
Navigating with your hand held GPS receiver	This one day course provides participants with the skills to be able to set up a GPS unit to the correct datum, be able to mark, store, download and import waypoints as well as being able to navigate back to a waypoint.
Off-road four wheel drive (4x4) training	This 2 day course will teach you how to safely operate a four wheel drive vehicle off-road and use vehicle recovery techniques.
OHS for livestock handlers	This half-day course is ideally suited to those individuals or organisations who work in close conjunction with livestock selling centres throughout the state.
Paddock plants - field day	This course will assist landholders identify plants commonly growing on their properties, their attributes and associated management options.
People in dairy Focus Groups - Improving people productivity on a dairy farm	A course designed for small farm business owners and farmers who seek training in office administration and procedures.
Pest and disease in honey bees - PROfarm course	This two-day course provides beekeepers with the skills to recognise, monitor and manage the impact of pests and disease on commercial honey bee colonies.
Planning for pest management	This course is designed for land managers and natural resource managers involved in weed or vertebrate pest control.
Pole saw operation
Post and rail fencing	A course for those interested in developing skills in constructing post and rail fences.
Poultry care for the home flock	A basic introduction to poultry and the management of the home flock
Procrop - Barley growth and development	This course describes the growth and development of the barley plant from germination to grain filling. The environmental factors and management actions that influence each growth stage are provided as a practical reference for managing crops.
Procrop - Canola growth and development	This course describes the growth and development of the canola plant from germination to seed filling. The environmental factors and management actions that influence each growth stage are provided as a practical reference for managing crops.
Procrop - Lupin growth and development	This course describes the growth and development of the lupins plant from germination to seed filling. The environmental factors and management actions that influence each growth stage are provided as a practical reference for managing crops.
Procrop - Maize growth and development	This course describes the growth and development of the maize plant from germination to kernel development. The environmental factors and management actions that influence each growth stage are provided as a practical reference for managing crops.
Prograze abridged	An intensive two day course to develop skills in assessing pasture and animal production and to develop pasture and livestock management plans.
Prograze Plus	This workshop series builds on the skills and knowledge learnt in Prograze, leading to the development of a whole farm fodder budget.
Prograze�	Run over 8 half-days in the field, this course provides skills for participants to assess pasture characteristics influencing pasture and animal production and to develop pasture and livestock management plans.
Property management planning (PMP) for natural resource management	A 6 day course designed for land managers and farm families interested in natural resource management for sustainable farm production.
Property-to-property transfer - National Livestock Identification System (NLIS)	This course suits stock agents, saleyard operators, Rural Lands Protection Board rangers, NSW DPI regulatory staff, transport operators and cattle producers.
Provide assessment services	This course covers the skills required to plan and conduct assessments and to participate in assessment validation.
Provide training through instruction and demonstration of work skills	One-day course; fee $285. Home study available.
Queen bee breeding	A 3 day course for beekeepers and people interested in entering the queen bee industry.
Recognising water weeds	This workshop is designed for land managers and project officers who require a basic understanding of water quality issues, testing and management.
Rice for profit	This 3 day course provides knowledge for improved rice management and the latest information about rice farming systems.
Rural office - maintain business records	A course for small farm business owners and farmers who want to develop their skills in office administration and procedures.
Rural office - setting up a records system	A course designed for small farm business owners and farmers who seek training in office administration and procedures.
Safe tractor operation and maintenance	A 2 day course covering safe operation of tractors and appliances and basic maintenance and care.
Secure loads	A course for those interested in safely loading and transporting machinery.
Service and maintain small powered machines	This one day course teaches you to carry out your own servicing and adjustments to small powered machines - Ride on Mowers, Hand Mowers, Line Trimmers, Brush Cutters, Mulchers and Chainsaws in a safe manner to OHS standards and to manufacturer�s specifications.
Shaping our futures together (SOFT)	SOFT is a 2 day leadership course that builds on the diversity of leadership capacity in rural communities by developing rural women�s self-esteem and confidence, goal setting and action planning skills.
Sheep care and husbandry	This course is designed for property owners interested in breeding sheep.
Skills assessment
SMARTtrain� chemical application (Level 3)	A 2 day course for people who use pesticides with powered and hand-held application equipment.
SMARTtrain� chemical risk management (Level 4)	This 1� day course is suitable for training supervisors and managers with risk management skills to manage the transportation, storage, application and record keeping of agricultural chemicals (including biological pesticides). Participants must be accredited at Level 3 to achieve competence at Level 4.
SMARTtrain� chemical safety (Level 2)	A 1 day course to meet the minimum legal requirements for training commercial users of pesticides and the requirements for using hazardous substances.
SMARTtrain� fumigation on farms	A one-day course designed to instruct participants in how to identify and understand the life cycles of stored grain insect pests; manage stored grain more effectively, and work effectively with fumigants for stored product protection and vertebrate pest management.
SMARTtrain� Level 3 reaccreditation	This 1 day course is suitable for reaccrediting people previously accredited in a Level 3 chemical usage course. People who use pesticides in their business must be reaccredited every five years.
SMARTtrain� Level 4 reaccreditation	A 1� day course suitable for reaccrediting people previously accredited in a Level 4 chemical usage course.
SMARTtrain� OHS risk management on farms (Level 4)	This 2 day course will assist farm owners and managers to develop an OHS system for their enterprise that complies with the OH&S Act 2000 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001.
SMARTtrain� safe use of hazardous substances (Level 2)	This 4 hour course is suitable for induction level employees who will be using or exposed to substances classified as hazardous substances in the workplace.
SMARTtrain� weeds and their control	A training and assessment resource for the scoping, documenting, planning, control and monitoring of weeds.
Soils and fertilisers	A practical course for those seeking a better understanding soils and fertilisers.
Stock Assess	This 2 day course for new entrants to the beef industry will assist producers to develop skills in assessing and selling methods, assessing cattle for markets and to understand markets and differences in markets.
Stock Safe - safe responsible livestock handling	A 2 day course to improve safe handling skills of stock on farm and reduce the risk of injury of those working with livestock, and to raise awareness of animal welfare as an issue of public concern.
StockPlan� 3 day	This 3 day course assists producers to develop planning of the grazing business for effective response to drought.
Tactical grazing management for semi-arid rangelands	This 2 day course is suitable for Western Division graziers, to assist in developing a sustainable and profitable grazing enterprise.
Targets for change - grazing and cropping areas	A course for producers, introducing the importance of Natural Resource Management, identifying production and Natural Resource Management co-benefits and developing a remedial plan for potential funding.
Topfodder^TM silage	This 3 day course covers the science of silage, crop selection, making, storing and feeding high quality silage. The program includes hands-on inspection and assessment of silage on farms using both bulk and baled silage.
Traditional bush timber construction	A course for those interested in developing skills in the restoration and maintenance of historical rural buildings and structures, and the construction of traditional post and rail fencing.
Training and assessment, Certificate IV	A total of 14 units are now required to gain the Certificate IV. For those who do not carry out all the functions covered by the certificate level, selected units may be studied. A Statement of Attainment will be awarded for that �skill set�. Study the following via flexible pathways:
Vertebrate pest management	A course designed for people implementing vertebrate pest management programs.
Water management for grapevines - Research to Practice�	A two day course to assist growers develop efficient and productive irrigation practices for their vineyard.
Waterwatch for land managers	A two day course for land managers and project officers who require a basic understanding of water quality issues, testing and management.
WaterWise on the farm	A course for landholders, farm managers, consultants and rural retailers to improve irrigation system performance and water use efficiency.
Wean more lambs	This 1 day course presents a complete package of best practice management technologies aimed at optimising sheep reproductive performance.
Weeds and their control	A course for those interested in developing skills in identifying and managing weeds.
What does your garden grow?	A course designed for those with an interest in weeds and to how best manage them in your garden.
Wine grape quality management	A course to assist growers to identify the factors contributing to wine grape quality and how these might be manipulated.
Wood chipper operation	This two-day course is suitable for contractors, council workers and anyone wanting to gain specialised skills relating to non-production forest activities.
Work within the Vocational Education & Training (VET) system	This course covers the requirements needed to work within the national Vocational Education & Training system. This course should be completed in conjunction with either the skill set Design learning programs or the skill set Facilitate learning.
Working dogs	This two day course is for owners of working dogs or those looking purchase a dog who wish to train them for either general farm use or for competition.
Working with People in Dairy: Professional development in human resource management for dairy advisors	A course for those working in the dairy industry to improve farm working relationships and to establish a support network for human resource development.