DairyCo

Calf rearing focus at DairyCo autumn meetings

Published 17 October 11

Calf rearing focus at DairyCo autumn meetings

DairyCo is running a series of open meetings to help dairy farmers improve calf health and productivity throughout November with guest speaker and specialist Dr Sam Leadley. The meetings will take place across GB, starting in Scotland, East Pitforthie on 7 November.

Dr Leadley will discuss a wide range of topics covering calf rearing from birth to weaning, working closely with the farmers who attend the meetings.

"I will be talking about newborn care, colostrum management, and pre-weaned calf nutrition," explains Dr Leadley, "but there are many other topics we might cover. These can include concerns about housing and health care, weaning practices, selection of calf milk replacers and vaccination protocols. It all depends what the farmers want to find out about."

DairyCo extension officer Hugh Black, who has organised the meetings, says "Calf rearing is an important part of the farm business. It's vitally important that your calf rearing system provides the opportunity for calves to grow to their genetic potential."

Ends
Monday 17 October 2011

Further information:
Dr Leadley is the calf/heifer management specialist for Attica Veterinary Associates, New York and writes Calving Ease, an international newsletter for calf rearers. He has done farm consulting and dairy farmer meetings in the USA, Australia, Italy and UK.

Tour dates and venues:

Monday 7 November
11.00am East Pitforthie, Angus
Contact: Sophie Kinnear, sophie.kinnear@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / tel: 07717 500877

7.30pm Dalfibble Farm, Parkgate
Contact: Heather Wildman, heather.wildman@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / tel: 07876 706391

Tuesday 8 November
11.00am Hired Lad, Penrith Auction Mart
Contact: Karen Lancaster, karen.lancaster@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 01524 781750

7.30pm Garstang Country Hotel, Garstang
Contact: Tom Goatman, tom.goatman@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 07854 508577

Wednesday 9 November
11.00 Byley Village Hall, Middlewich
Contact: James Hague, james.hague@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 01606 869650

7.30pm The Grange, Wakefield
Contact: Judith Stafford, judith.stafford@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 07891 556623

Thursday 10 November
11.00am Venue to be confirmed, Shrewsbury
Contact: Hugh Black, hugh.black@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 07966 237818

7.30pm The Brookhouse Mill, Denbigh
Contact: Richard Davies, richard.davies@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 01824 790214

Monday 14 November
Lunchtime, Norfolk
Contact: Shirley Macmillan shirley.macmillan@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 07766 402393

7.30pm Quorn Lodge, Melton Mowbray
Contact: James Hague, james.hague@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 01606 869650

Tuesday 15 November
7.30pm Cricklade House Hotel, Cricklade
Contact: Andy Dodd, andy.dodd@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 07759 586321

Wednesday 16 November
11.00am Rodway Farm, Bridgwater
Contact: Chris Coxon, chris.coxon@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 07989 959517

7.30pm Trethorne Leisure Farm, Launceston
Contact: Sarah Bolt, sarah.bolt@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 01752 879831

Thursday 17 November
11.00am Venue TBC, St.Clears/Whitland
Contact: Chris Duller, chris.duller@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk / 07530 174843

Friday 18 November
11.00am Wintersell Farm, Edenbridge, Kent
Contact: Izak Van Heerden, izak.vanheerden@dairyco.ahdb.org.uk  / 07854 507279

Press office:

N:         Helen Fina        
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DairyCo's aim is to promote world class knowledge to British dairy farmers so they can profit from a sustainable future.

To achieve this DairyCo aims to:

• Ensure farmers have access to world class information needed to improve competitiveness, GHG reduction and productivity
• Ensure farmers have access to direct and indirect support to help them improve their profitability through better business management
• Ensure that dairy farming is reducing its impact on the environment
• Ensure farmers understand the benefits of breeding and use the related tools

DairyCo is funded entirely by milk producers, via a statutory levy on all milk sold off-farm, at the rate of 0.06p per litre.  This provides an annual income of around £6.5m.

DairyCo is a division of the statutory levy board, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).