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Dales Farmers Discussion Group - Craven Arms Meeting

SAC News Release Ref. No: 12N16
Published: 25 Jan 2012

Two of the most important livestock diseases in Britain will come under the spotlight on 31st January when a farmers meeting near Settle of the Yorkshire Dales Beef and Sheep Group considers the affects BVD and Johnes (pr. yoan ese) can have on their cattle. Experts from SAC will join local vets in advising local farmers on how the diseases are spread, how to test for them and the benefits of achieving disease free status.

Organised by SAC and Dalehead Vets and partly funded by LANTRA, the Yorkshire Dales Beef & Sheep Group meets over the winter months. Confidential information collected from each member and presented anonymously is used to plan a programme of meetings that address the key issues affecting local farming businesses. The aim of the Lantra funded programme is to help farmers in the Dales take effective steps to control and reduce input costs and maximise output and profitability.

The latest priority, BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea), can cost beef farmers £45,000 over ten years. In Scotland the government is backing a national eradication policy. Producers in the Dales who are able to supply accredited, disease free stock to English and Scottish markets could gain a real advantage.

According to Kendal based SAC Consultant James Hadwin:

“Through the work we have done both in the Yorkshire Dales and the NW, cow fertility has consistently been identified as a key challenge in beef suckler herds. There could be many reasons but BVD is an important one. Farmers need a beef calf a year from each cow in the herd , but if cows are late getting in calf it not only prolongs the herd calving period, meaning more late nights, but can mean cows are calving every 14- 16 months. This greatly reduces the weight of beef reared per year across the herd and makes good management very difficult. We hope this meeting explains how BVD and Johnes are spread and how they effect productivity. It should help farmers to plan better”.

Speaking at the event, which is sponsored by MSD Animal Health, will be Neil Roberts of Dalehead vets who will give an outlook for BVD and Jones in the area. From SAC well respected veterinary consultants George Caldow & Colin Mason will consider the effect these diseases can have on productivity, how they are spread and eradication and control methods. Meanwhile James Hadwin and his consultant colleague Robert Logan will give feed back on recent herd health planning work in the area, as well as considering other production efficiency issues, especially those linked to reducing a farm’s carbon footprint.

As a free lunch will be served the organisers would be grateful if those planning to attend could notify the Kendal SAC Consulting office on 015395 66079 to help with catering arrangements.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Mr James Hadwin
Agricultural Consultant
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Consulting, Lane Farm, Crooklands, Milnathorpe,
Cumbria
LA7 7NH
TelWork 01539 566079

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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