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Times are difficult for dairy farmers. The economies of scale demanded during a prolonged period of low milk prices have seen herd sizes increase and individual yields rise.  This can put pressure on management skills and equipment.  Meanwhile milder wetter warmer conditions in many dairying areas are ideal for pests and disease.  Nevertheless producers recognise that the health and welfare of their animals is a priority. The Crichton event on Thursday, 3rd December will refresh their knowledge of the tools and protocols available to help them.

SAC, NFUS and industry body Dairy Co are committed to promoting an efficient, sustainable, responsible and profitable farming.  Their specialist event will encourage producers to continue improving their herd health and welfare systems. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate to government and consumers the importance the industry places on good health and welfare.

The programme has been planned to give those attending an overview of the disease issues facing Scottish herds with presentations by well respected experts and key Government representatives. The afternoon session will give farmers an opportunity to see for themselves how SAC tackles some of the issues with additional presentations on topics such as housing, mastitis, genetics and feeding regimes.  The aim is to give hard-pressed producers some take-home messages that can make a difference.

Timetable

• 10.00 am:  Register at Brown House on the Crichton campus (coffee and a bacon roll.)
• 10.15 am:  Introduction by Jim McLaren NFU Scotland President.  Professor Geoff Simm of SAC will chair the morning session.  Key note speech by Simon Hall, the recently appointed Chief Vet for Scotland.  It is hoped that Richard Lochead will be able to attend if his parliamentary commitments allow.
• 10.35 am:  Nigel Miller (NFU Scotland) and George Caldow (SAC) presentations on BVD and Johne's.
• 11.45 am:  Short walk to the Crichton farm.  Joined by those who could not attend morning session.
• Midday:  Delegates organised into six groups and visit six stations.  Genetics, housing, lameness, mastitis, transition feeding and lunch. Each group accompanied by a facilitator and will include a local specialist dairy vet. 
• 3.00 pm:  There will be a roundup of the day, the opportunity to have a cup of tea and for one to one conversation.

The morning session at Brown House (which can seat up to 150 people), will cover:

The Scottish Government's aspirations on animal health with particular relevance to dairy.  The move to TB-free status and an update on Blue Tongue are two obvious topical issues and there will be an opportunity for Simon to inform and involve the dairy sector on the Scottish Government's strategy on animal health and welfare.

Nigel Miller will give a brief overview on key initiatives that NFU Scotland are involved with, which includes BVD in particular and Johne's, before handing over to George Caldow who is a recognised expert on both subjects.  Both these subjects could take up the entire day on their own, but the challenge for Nigel and particularly George is to focus our minds on the potential to greatly reduce the impact of these diseases and to encourage dairy producers to initiate strategies to achieve this.

The afternoon session at Crichton Royal Farm will be structured in six 30 minute sessions.  Two speakers will man each station which will be at an appropriate site on the farm.  The expectation is that the speakers will share the time they have with the group, between brief talks by them and by encouraging discussion with the groups. More details on topics and speakers can be found in the PDF on this page.

There will be feeding, genetics and housing companies as well as veterinary practices who are available to discuss any of the key subjects throughout the day. 

From a wider perspective the objective is to demonstrate that we in the Scottish dairy sector can rise to the challenge of producing milk efficiently, while not compromising the health and welfare of our cattle.

To book your space at this event, please call 02476 478707 or email postcard@dairyco.org.uk.