To celebrate the progress that has been made by the industry since the launch of the GB Dairy Calf Strategy in 2020, this years Great British Calf Week offers a series of online events, webinars and farm walks, each focusing on one of two key themes:
Wednesday 13 September
- 9:00am − 10:00am Breakfast Launch at UK Dairy Day, NFU stand H119, the International Centre in Telford, TF3 4JH
- 10:00am – 10:20am GB Calf Strategy – where are we now? Seminar hosted by AHDB and NFU at UK Dairy Day Seminars, the International Centre in Telford, TF3 4JH.
- 10:00am Listen to the latest on dairy-bred calf research in this special edition podcast delivered by SRUC.
- 1:00pm − 1:20pm Managing TB and utilising dairy beef genetics – farmer panel session. Seminar hosted by AHDB and NFU at UK Dairy Day Seminars, the International Centre in Telford, TF3 4JH with speakers Robert Mallet (dairy farmer) and Michael Oakes (NFU).
- 2:00pm The latest on bTB policy, online. As part of the GB Calf Strategy, NFU lead a working group who are dedicated to driving policy change on bTB. Listen to the latest developments following an on-farm session at a TB isolation unit on 7 September – coming soon.
Thursday 14 September
- 9:30am − 10:30am Farmer focus: Sustainable dairy-beef systems ‘fit for the future’, webinar. Join Arla for a breakfast table discussion with panelists Dan Gammon (Oak Vale Farms Ltd), James Thompson (Sansaw Farms) and Darren Furse (Westcott, Farm Partnership) talking about their youngstock systems. We’ll discuss how each has adapted their business to embrace Arla’s ‘Every Calf Has a Value (ECHAV)’ policy; develop innovation and practical breeding policies; and be resilient in the face of biosecurity challenges. Register to join the Arla Farmer focus webinar.
- 11:30am − 12:30pm Lessons from abroad: Finding sustainable calf markets. Register to join Nuffield scholars Anna Bowen (UK) and Sarah Bolton (Australia) as they discuss their studies in this webinar hosted by AHDB.
- 11:30am − 1:30pm Rearing the perfect calf: Farm open day, Somerset. Delivered by Buitelaar Group and ForFarmers. Lunch and refreshments included. Attendee numbers are limited so early booking is essential. Reserve your place on the calf-rearing open day.
Friday 15 September
- 11:00am − 2:00pm Rearing and finishing profitable beef animals for the supply chain: Beef open day, Herefordshire. Delivered by Meadow Quality and Genus ABS. Lunch and refreshments provided. Reserve your place on the beef farm open day.
Saturday 16 September
- Farmer case study on reducing risks associated with being shutdown by TB – link to this film coming soon.
Sunday 17 September
- Farmer case study on achieving profit from low grading potential calves – link to this film coming soon.
Monday 18 September
- 10:30am − 2:00pm Maximising profitability through calf rearing, Trevorder Farm, Wadebridge, PL22 7LF. Speakers: Joao Almeida & Phil Dawber (Cornwall Dairy Vets), Paul Uglow (Norbrook) & Cathy Mercer (Virbac). To book a place, call 01208 808340 or email admin@cornwalldairyvets.co.uk
- 12:30pm − 1:30pm Calf Rearing and TB – reducing risk and minimising impact. Webinar delivered by The TB Advisory Service and Kingshay. Speaker: Sarah Tomlinson. Register to join the calf rearing and TB webinar.
Tuesday 19 September
- 12:30pm − 1:30pm Calf feeding and weaning – making the most of your dairy-beef genetics. Online panel discussion, chaired by Dr Laura Palczynski (Innovation for Agriculture/Calf Action Network), with panellists Bianca Theeruth (Cargill), Georgina Thomas (Trouw Nutrition), Dr Jessica Cooke (Volac), Dr Emma Bleach (Harper Adams University). The panel will cover: what to feed calves; cutting through commercial interests; and focusing on feeding and growth targets for dairy-beef calves compared to replacement heifers. Register to join the calf feeding and weaning webinar.
- 7:00pm − 8:00pm Dairy-beef genetics: maximising the value of your beef calves. Webinar delivered by AHDB. Speakers: Marco Winters and Kim Matthews. Register to join the dairy beef genetics webinar.
Wednesday 20 September
- 10:00am − 12:00 noon Maximising dairy-beef genetics through an integrated supply chain, Shropshire. Delivered by Gamechanger. To book a place email scott@bladefarming.com
- 10:30am − 2:00pm Are you ready to house your youngstock this autumn? Tresham Farm, Wotton-under-edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 RW. To reserve a place, call George Vet Group on 01666 823035. Lunch will be provided. Topics and speakers:
- Calf housing, are your calves warm enough while still maintaining clean fresh air? Kat Hart (George Vet Group)
- Transitioning youngstock to winter rations. Andrew Millington (A Nicolas, Cow Mills)
- What parasites are high risk, how to test and when can we treat. Eli Body (George Vet Group) & Rebecca Jessett (Norbrook)
- 12:30pm − 1:30pm Biosecurity on calf units – protecting your calves and minimising disease. Webinar delivered by Westpoint Farm Vets, part of VetPartners. Speaker: Tim Potter. Register to join the biosecurity on calf units webinar.
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