DairyCo

North

Jo Speed

Introducing the Extension Team for the North

We arrange discussion groups on a variety of topics covering many aspects of dairy farming, from mastitis control to slurry storage. We are able to see what farming processes work, which do not and more importantly why the processes work.

As a team we organise regular events and meetings to demonstrate different approaches to farm management processes like grazing management to improve farming efficiency.

What's coming up?

• Great Yorkshire Show, July

Jo Speed will be in attendance for a day, although we don't have a stand this year, she hopes to have the opportunity to speak to industry contacts and farmers.  If you would like to arrange to meet Jo at the show please call her on 07976 133405.

What's been happening?

• Jo Speed was at the Crichton Farm in Dumfries involved in a vet training session on mobility scoring. This day was part of the Scottish national welfare programme.
• Jo also spoke to a discussion group during June on lameness prevention, new technologies and mobility scoring. The group had a lively discussion on various ideas being discussed, and we also invited a foot trimmer to pick up and trim the cows feet after we had scored them. In all cases where we scored the cows a score 2, the cow had substantial under-running and/or bruising, highlighting the benefits of identifying and picking up cows feet earlier, that are likely to benefit from treatment.
• The NDA students at Bishop Burton College also attended a mobility and lameness meeting that Jo ran this month, again with a foot trimmer. Jo is hoping to develop a joint programme of activities based around Bishop Burton in Humberside.

For more information about events and meetings in your area please go to the events page.