To celebrate the progress that has been made by the industry since the launch of the GB Dairy Calf Strategy in 2020, our Great British Calf week offers a series of exciting events, each focusing on one of two key themes:
Wednesday 13 September
- 09:00am – 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
Overview:
This podcast is a special edition for GB calf week. Listen in to discover just a sample of the current dairy-bred calf research happening in Scotland. There are some fantastic projects on the go at the moment involving collaborations between SRUC, Glasgow university and vets in private practice. In this episode, join Colin Mason and David Bell from SRUC, Katie Denholm from Glasgow University Vet School and Ali Haggerty from Stewartry vets as they discuss their current projects including critical control points for colostrum cleanliness, Mycoplasma bovis in colostrum and ultrasound diagnosis of respiratory disease. A must listen for anyone interested in fine tuning calf health, highlighting projects to keep an eye on for future results.
- 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), Michael Oakes (NFU).
- 2:00pm 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 7th September 2023 – coming soon
Thursday 14 September
Overview
Taking place at the Buitelaar Group’s Development Farm, this event will focus on rearing the perfect calf. After listening to specialist talks on Buitelaar’s calf management and protocols, the crucial element of calf housing and ForFarmers youngstock services, visiting farmers will be invited to tour the facility and rearing units, with plenty of time for questions. ForFarmer speakers are Ann Coombes (Youngstock Product Manager) and Eliza Boyce (Calf and Youngstock Technician). Buitelaar speakers are Dominic McKenzie (Long Lane Development Farm), Mickie Blackett (High Health Unit Specialist) and Joe Mannion (Group Managing Director).
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 at 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 phone 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.
Overview:
Bovine TB is still the most devastating disease impacting our UK cattle herds today. Not because of the direct animal health and welfare impacts, the majority of reactors are otherwise fit and heathy animals, but because of the massive impacts a breakdown has on the farm business and the knock-on effects on animal and farmer health and welfare.
No one likes to think of what would happen if the worst were to occur and the farm suffers a TB breakdown, but understanding your risks and how to reduce if not eliminate them and being prepared as a business, for example understanding what your options are for getting beef calves off farm, could take away some of the stress and anxiety around testing and help your business survive TB.
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 Gareth.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 phone George Vet Group on 01666 823035. Lunch will be provided. Topics and speakers:
- Calf housing, are you calves warm enough whilst 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)
Overview:
Biosecurity on farm is often very much focused on bio-exclusion; reducing the risk of disease entering the farm from external sources by concentrating on things such as the maintenance of boundaries, visitor and vehicle management and quarantine procedures for purchased stock. However, it is important to remember that even within a farm there are different groups of animals potentially with different susceptibility or previous exposure to disease so putting in place control measures to prevent disease spread between these groups can really help minimise disease challenges on farm. This webinar will provide practical tips on simple procedures you can put in place to protect your calves and minimise the risk of infectious disease.
