The UK’s first ever live calf rearing demonstration at an event will be featured at Livestock Event, the sector’s largest business to business event to be staged on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July at The NEC, Birmingham. Designed to showcase all types of housing and feeding systems, the demonstration will feature live calves in igloos, conventional and specialist buildings including the Roundhouse, all of which will be located on the outside apron to Hall 17, the main livestock hall.
The feature will be complemented by a series of seminars delivered by leading calf specialists discussing the latest in housing, feeding and management systems.
“The dairy unit’s youngstock have remained the herd’s Cinderella’s for far too long,” says event director, Matt Knight. “The quest is now on to get these animals off to a better start which has been scientifically proven to significantly enhance overall dairy herd performance and farm profitability. This new demonstration, which will be run under veterinary supervision with strict protocols, is designed to do just that.”
Demonstration sponsor, DeLaval’s Kate Davies comments: “We plan to highlight just how significant first rate calf management can be. A well developed and healthy heifer will generally calve earlier and produce more milk over the course of its life. Successful reproduction is at the heart of the dairy business – the weeks leading up to calving and the first few weeks of a calf’s existence shape its lifetime. Calf rearing is also central to the company’s vision of making sustainable food production possible.”
Acutely aware of the UK dairy industry’s extraordinary difficult times, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, is providing every UK dairy farm with one complimentary ticket. All farmers will also have the opportunity to purchase additional tickets for partners and herdsmen at a favourably reduced rate.
