Stand Sales Open for UK’s Top Regenerative Livestock Farming Event
Stand sales are now live for Down to Earth North and South- the UK's top regenerative farming event for livestock producers.
Following unprecedented demand for the inaugural event in 2022, which attracted over 1,700 visitors over the one-day show, the decision was made by the event organiser, the RABDF, to launch two shows in 2023.
List of Eligible Equipment and Guidance on Farming Equipment and Technology Fund Released
Record Success as Dairy-Tech Hailed 'Most Successful Show' To Date
Royal Innovation Award Winner 2023 Announced
Top US Dairy Experts Set to Take to the Stage at Dairy-Tech in Two Weeks
Two renowned international dairy experts will kick off proceedings at next month's Dairy-Tech on 1st February at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, as they outline factors influencing dairy sustainability and profitability.
Renowned US geneticist Dr John Cole will begin by explaining key drivers for a sustainable dairy system and practical ways farmers can future-proof their farms, including the role of genetics.
Joining him is fellow US speaker Dr Matt Utt, Senior Dairy Product Analyst at Zoetis, who will focus on what management decisions affect dairy profitability with a focus on reproductive efficiency. Dr Utt is an expert in dairy cow reproduction and worked for many years at Select Sires before joining Zoetis at the end of last year.
Ahead of next month's talk, Dr Utt said: "A dairy should provide sufficient financial resources to support the owners and the business well into the future. In my presentation, I will focus on viewing the dairy as a business and ways to assess the financial sustainability by breaking down profitability at the level of the farm, animal, and lactation period."
Dr Utt added: "Key concepts related to profitability will be explored using dairy and other simple business examples for illustration.
"Monitoring key metrics relating to profitability is crucial for understanding the current state of the dairy and making decisions to improve its future state.
"Examples using key metrics will hopefully give attendees ideas to take home to their own farms or the dairies where they work," he added.
Matt Knight, RABDF Managing Director of RABDF, said: "The talks from Dr Cole and Dr Utt will set the tone for this year's Dairy-Tech around sustainability with a practical insight into areas farmers can focus on to enhance and future-proof their enterprise.
"This session is not to be missed and will hopefully produce some lightbulb moments for those listening," he said.
Tickets for Dairy-Tech are now on sale at a discounted price of £17 when bought before the show. For more information on the show and to secure your tickets, visit dairy-tech.uk
Five Students Shortlisted for Coveted Farm Health Management Awards
Five finalists from colleges and universities across the UK have been shortlisted for this year's Farm Health Management Awards, sponsored by Volac.
Students from Bristol Vet School, Harper Adams University, Royal Agricultural University, and Duchy College will vie for the coveted trophies when the winners are announced at Dairy-Tech 2023 on 1st February at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
The awards, judged this year by RABDF Policy Director Tim Brigstoke and Council Member and Vet Sarah Tomlinson, aim to demonstrate and test the students' knowledge of proactive farm health management.
The competition is split into three categories: students at agricultural colleges, agricultural universities and vet schools, and is open to students in all year groups.
Each student had to submit a 1,500-word essay on proactive farm health management.
This year's finalists are:
Vet school
- Jack Rust (Bristol Vet School)
University
- Alexandra Godfrey (Royal Agricultural University)
- Marley Lamerton (Harper Adams University)
College
- David Isaac (Duchy College)
- Laura Butt (Duchy College)
The winners for each category will be announced at 12:00pm on the Volac stand and will take away a £500 cash prize.
Commenting on this year's finalists, judge and RABDF Policy Director Tim Brigstocke said: "This year's finalists all had a good awareness of biosecurity as well as its inclusivity into farm health planning. Training was also something they all emphasised as being important."
Matthew Knight, Managing Director at RABDF, added: "Farm Health Management is an integral part of running a productive and profitable farm and is integral to delivering health and welfare improvements as part of Defra's Animal Health and Welfare Pathway."
For more information about Dairy-Tech 2023, visit dairy-tech.uk
TOP HERDS LINE UP FOR 2022 NMR RABDF GOLD CUP TITLE
Sponsors of the Gold Cup, RABDF and NMR, have announced the finalists for the 2022 award. The five finalists include two dairy businesses from Scotland, and three from the south and southwest of England.
They are:
· Liz Birkett, Rookhaye Farm, Bowerchalke, Salisbury, Wiltshire
· Chris and Helen Ford, C&H Ford Farm Ltd, Peadon Farm, Fiddington, Bridgwater, Somerset
· Alistair Logan, Holehouse Farms, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire
· Andrew, Oliver & Wendy Reed, France Farm, Blackborough, Cullompton, Devon
· Stuart Orr, Messers George Orr, Kaemuir Farm, Avonbridge
Herds qualify for entry into the Gold Cup by meeting the competition’s criteria provided by their milk recording organisation, or via nomination from their discussion group or a company.
All entrants completed a detailed form with information on their system, progress and targets for the business. Finalists are selected by a panel of judges and go forward to an on farm inspection, this year carried out by RABDF’s council members Di Wastenage and Peter Alvis and 2019 Gold Cup winner Robert Sloan.
The winner will be announced at Dairy-Tech, on the NMR stand at 4pm Wednesday February 1, 2023, along with the winners of the Chris May award, the NMR Silver Salver, The Lilyhill Cup and the Chairman’s Cup.
ENDS
The presentations in February 2022 will include the following:
· RABDF NMR Gold Cup
· Chris May Award for the Gold Cup qualifying herd with the highest herd lifetime daily yield.
· NMR Silver Salver for the Holstein herd with the highest combined weight of fat and protein production
· Lilyhill Cup for the Jersey herd with the highest combined weight of fat and protein production
· Chairman’s Cup for breeds, except Holstein and Jersey, with the highest combined weight of fat and protein production
All herds must meet minimum criteria set for entry to the Gold Cup of more than 100 cows/heifers in the milking herd, an annual average somatic cell count of 200,000 cells/ml or less, or 250,000 cells/ml for organic herds, and a minimum PLI value specific to the breed or calving system.
More information and photographs from:
· Sarah Alderton, farmgatemedia@outlook.com, 07739969198
· Karen Wright, karen@karenwrightpr.com, 07860 504047
About RABDF
RABDF is the sole UK charity focussed on the unique needs of milk producers. They are the only dairy organisation holding a Royal Warrant, with the influence and access to funding that brings.
About NMR
NMR is the leading supplier of milk recording services in the UK and carries out milk quality testing for payment purposes, as well as extensive disease testing and screening services.