Farmers, vets and industry professionals will come together this month for a new national event aimed at improving calf health, welfare and performance across the dairy and beef sectors.
The Calf Action Conference will take place on Tuesday 21 April at the Hartpury Agri-Tech Centre, part of the Digital Innovation Farm at Hartpury University and Hartpury College. The event has been extremely popular and tickets sold out quickly.
Aligned with the imminent launch of the GB Calf Strategy, which has been led entirely by industry, the one-day event will focus on delivering practical, consistent and evidence-based approaches to calf rearing, while giving those working on farm the opportunity to shape how the strategy is applied in practice.
Emily Linton, livestock vet and Chair of the GB Calf Strategy’s Right Start Pillar, said: “There is already a huge amount of information available, and in some cases, it can be difficult to navigate where advice differs. This conference brings people together to share what works in practice and develop guidance that is consistent, practical and adaptable to different farm systems.”
The programme includes hands-on workshops, live demonstrations and a guided farm walk, covering calf housing, feeding, hygiene and disease management. Attendees will also see a demonstration of calf lung scanning on calves ranging from 4 weeks old to 12 weeks old. One of the workshops will also focus heavily on training and skills and how we can not only upskill people within the industry but also train future generations. The event recognises the importance of good stockmanship in driving improved outcomes.
Neave Anderson, Head of Agri-Tech and Innovation at Hartpury University and Hartpury College said: “Events like this are vital in connecting industry, research and education. By hosting the Calf Action Conference at our Digital Innovation Farm we’re at the forefront of knowledge transfer where practical knowledge can be shared and applied, supporting farmers to make informed decisions that benefit both calf welfare and business performance.”
Hosted within Hartpury’s Digital Innovation Farm, the conference highlights the role of innovation and collaboration in tackling real-world agricultural challenges, while providing a platform for knowledge exchange across the sector. This knowledge exchange and industry exposure also benefits students studying for both college and university qualifications, helping to meet skills needs and ensure the next generation are equipped for the farms of the future.
The event is open to calf rearers, dairy and beef farmers, vets, advisors and industry partners.
The Calf Action Conference is supported by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and sponsored by MSD Animal Health, Zoetis, Galebreaker, ForFarmers and SCCL.
