The industry’s second Great British Calf Week returns this month on November 16-23, and will feature a series of on-farm and virtual events focusing on successful calf management.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) have coordinated the week-long campaign to celebrate the progress being made by the dairy industry in relation to dairy-bred calves.
AHDB and the NFU are encouraging the industry to ensure all dairy-bred calves are reared with care and for a purpose, as part of the dairy or beef supply chains.
During the week, farmers will have the opportunity to participate in a series of exciting events, webinars, and farm walks where they can hear from industry experts and have their questions answered.
Jenny Gibbons, AHDB’s animal health and welfare senior scientist, said: “The areas to be covered during this GB Calf Week are of importance to both dairy and beef calf rearers.
“Topics will include sexed and beef semen selection and breeding for the right carcass for the right outlet.
“Breeding economically attractive calves is the starting point, but once the calf is born, ultimately it needs to be given the best start to live and be well cared for so there will also be a focus on optimising winter housing to grow healthy calves.”
The week’s activities will kick off on November 16, at AgriScot in Edinburgh.
A week later on November 23, a panel discussion addressing ‘Dairy-beef: The past, present and future’ as part of the Total Dairy Conference in Stratford upon Avon will conclude the week’s activities.
NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes said: “GB Calf Week is a great way of raising awareness and celebrating the progress that has been made by industry since the launch of the GB Calf Strategy.
“The week will offer a varied programme of events during which farmers can engage with the work being carried out to ensure all dairy-bred calves are reared for a purpose as part of the dairy or beef supply chains.
“I would encourage all farmers to get involved, either in person or remotely, to learn more about the opportunities available to them in their own calf management systems,” he said.
