Knowledge Exchange Event: Dairy Youngstock Management - The Key to Everything

Join us at Harper Adams University for an informative and interactive dairy sector knowledge exchange event which will focus on addressing some of the ongoing challenges of calf rearing.

Hosted by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming (SSFF), this event brings together researchers from Harper Adams University, Innovation for Agriculture, University of Nottingham and Aarhus University (Denmark), while also hearing from a local dairy farmer who has taken a strategic approach to managing their calf rearing. The event will be very relevant for farmers and farm advisors across the dairy industry.

Getting the management of our youngstock right is a key component of sustainable dairy production. Calves and heifers are the future of the dairy herd, yet research and experience suggest that we need to do more to ensure that rearing systems on farms are achieving optimal growth rates, meeting targets for age at first calving, and reducing ill health and mortality to improve the welfare of our youngstock. Doing things better should lead to greater efficiency, profitability and improved job satisfaction for producers.

In this industry-focussed knowledge exchange event we seek to identify aspects of calf rearing that farmers still need help with; what we need to do to make progress; and offer support and encouragement to bring about meaningful change.

The overall aim is to motivate and equip dairy producers with the knowledge and skills to improve their business and ensure a more sustainable future.

Programme

08.30 - 09.30  Arrival – tea/coffee and light refreshments

09.30 - 09.45  Welcome and introduction. Dr Philip Robinson, Harper Adams University

09.45 - 10.15  Unlocking the potential of calves and youngstock: Have we misplaced the key? Dr Laura Palczynski, Innovation for Agriculture

10.15 - 10.45  Meeting or missing targets? Meeting the challenges head-on. Dr Emma Bleach, Harper Adams University

10.45 - 11.15  Tea/coffee break

11.15 - 11.45  Practical calf housing and management. Dr Ginny Sherwin, University of Nottingham

11.45 - 12.15  Unlocking the future – Embracing the change. Karen Halton, Halton Farms, Cheshire

12.15 - 13.00  Working with those caring for calves – a Danish view. Dr Mette Vaarst, Aarhus University, Denmark

13.00 - 13.15  Summing up

13.15 - 14.00  Lunch

14.00 - 16.00  Farm tours (optional – must choose at registration)

*refreshments and lunch are included within the delegate rate for attending.

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