Note from Matt....
Our last Milk Digest went out just before Dairy-Tech and what a stonking success the event was.
We had bumper visitor numbers with 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovation and technology in the sector and over 80 new product launches.
Crowds packed out the Dairy and Innovation Hubs, where topical discussions took place and showcased the latest innovations. Keynote speaker Nigel Owens moved the audience to tears as he highlighted his mental health struggles.
The event also saw some prestigious awards presented, including the NMR/ RABDF 2020 Gold Cup, which went to the Torrance family from Essex.
Date Set for Gold Cup Open Day 2022
Plans are already well underway for the Gold Cup Open Day on 5th July at Stapleford Abbotts, near Romford, Essex. As has been the case at previous Gold Cup events, we expect large crowds will flock to see this prestigious herd in action.
The Torrance's Curtismill herd comprises 670 cows and 430 followers and is part of their farming business run on 429 hectares of Crown Estate land, just inside the M25 corridor.
Ranking among the top UK herds for PLI, the family's focus is on efficiency, and they aim to breed cows that will produce 70,000 litres of milk during an average of five lactations.
Visitors to the event will hear how the team's close attention to detail in the cow environment and parlour routine and commitment to the key disease control and eradication schemes for dairy herds contributes to the low disease incidence and high health status seen in this herd. To find out more about the event and to register for your free place, visit https://www.rabdf.co.uk/gold-cup-comp
Down to Earth Regen Event
We are also excited about our inaugural regenerative farming event, Down to Earth, tailored specifically for livestock farmers interested in understanding the principles behind the regenerative farming approach.
Down to Earth offers something for everyone, whether you're new to this topic and just curious, or a farmer looking for practical take-home strategies to implement and enhance what you are already doing on your farm, through to those who want to follow a full regenerative journey.
The event is free for members or £15 for non-members. Find out more at https://projectdowntoearth.co.uk/
To finish a successful few months, the RABDF scooped two national awards from the National Association Awards. This was for Best Online Event with Dairy-Tech Online, which we hosted in 2021 and Best Lobbying Campaign with the Greenhouse Gas Emissions campaign launched ahead of COP 26 in October 2021 to promote the positive and correct messages about emissions from UK dairy.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our team, council members and our members for their continued support. Without it, we wouldn't be able to help support the dairy industry in the same way.
If I didn't get to see you at Dairy-Tech, then I hope to be able to catch you at some of the forthcoming summer events.
Best wishes,
Matt