Friday, 11 November 2022
Improving the health and welfare of dairy calves will be high on the agenda at this month’s GB Calf Week.
The annual event, run by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) brings together a range of experts to look at ways of improving the care these young animals experience.
Among the speakers at this year’s event is Dr Robert Hyde from the University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science. His seminar, entitled Practical Calf Housing and Management, will draw on research conducted by the School over the past few years.
Dr Hyde and his colleagues have carried out a number of studies looking at the key factors that can influence the health and productivity of dairy calves – including the first analysis of colostrum bacteriology in the UK and the first analysis of calf mortality rates across the whole country - culminating in the development of an online Herd Health Toolkit.
The toolkit takes the findings of their research and translates it into a practical, evidence-based online app that farmers can use to improve the growth and survival rates of their youngstock.
Using the 20 interventions shown to have the greatest impact on the health and welfare of preweaning calves – ranging from the temperature of their pens and how often they are cleaned out, to how much milk they are given - it creates a bespoke plan for individual farms, providing guidance on the key areas of focus that will be of most benefit to them.
This is the first time machine learning models have been used to provide practical advice for farmers in this way.
I’m delighted to be showcasing our findings at such an important event in the dairy farming calendar.
He added: “Excellent cow health and welfare is our primary focus, and the pre-weaning period is vital in the development of calves on dairy farms.
“Our work focuses on creating the very best environment for calves to thrive in, whilst also improving the efficiency of our dairy farms, helping to minimise rearing costs and improve milk yields.
“GB Calf Week is a fantastic initiative, aiming to ensure that all dairy-bred calves are reared with care and for a purpose, and I’m excited to show how our research can help with those goals.”
GB Calf Week runs from Wednesday 16 November. Dr Hyde’s webinar is on Thursday 17 November from 1pm -2pm.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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