Youngstock - Their future depends on you

Successful calf management is imperative if you want to get the most out of the herd of tomorrow.

That is why a specialist Dairy Health Event focusing on youngstock will be held at Withybush Showground, Haverfordwest on Thursday 7 April, 2011 at 11am.

The guest speakers at the event are leading experts in youngstock management Dai Grove-White of Liverpool University and Richard Vecqueray of Evidence Based Veterinary Consultancy.

Dairy health events officer Dylan Jones said: "With ever increasing production costs it may be tempting to cut corners when it comes to rearing your future replacements; however the speakers at this event will highlight the importance of correctly managing the herd of tomorrow.

"A variety of issues will be discussed under two different sessions that can be briefly summarised as the calf from ’birth to weaning’, and ’weaning to calving’. The aim of the event is to supply farmers and calf rearers with information regarding every aspect of youngstock rearing."

One of the guest speakers Dai Grove-White added: "Calf rearing is probably one of the most neglected areas within dairy farming and all the good breeding work you do with the dairy herd itself can be thrown away by poor management of the youngstock.

"Recent work undertaken suggests that there are massive financial incentives to be had from improving calf management, with a typical 150 cow herd being able to generate a possible extra £7500 per annum through a combination of bringing heifers into the herd earlier, increased milk production and from producing surplus heifers which can be sold on."

Also present at the event will be a variety of dairy health trade stands including information regarding calf hutches, milk powder and calf nutrition.

Another dairy health event has been arranged for 28 April at 11am. The event which is to be held at Welshpool Livestock Market is titled ’Tackling Lameness’ and includes foot trimming and mobility scoring demonstrations as well as presentations from industry experts such as Roger Blowey.

Farmers who require more details or simply want to reserve their place at these events should contact Dylan Jones on 01554 748592.