Latest research on dairy farming sector will be unveiled at award winning farm in The Yorkshire Dales

The Leyburn farm is home to 1,300 pedigree Holstein cows who are milked three times each day and produce an average of 12,400 litres at 4.00% butterfat and 3.32 protein.

The five-year long research programme, commissioned by the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and led by the University of Nottingham, will play an important role in helping to achieve a more sustainable future for the dairy industry.

It covers a wide range of topics and aims to improve efficiency on farm, reducing costs of production as well as making sure consumer perceptions of dairy farming remain positive.

At the event, farmers will have the opportunity to move through five themed interactive stations led by industry experts who will cover topics on genetics, calf health, staff management, lameness and perceptions of dairy farming.

Andy Dodd, Director at WhiteAvon Consultancy (FCG) will talk about genetic costs in the dairy industry, economic impact on farms and herd genetic reports as a tool to identify strengths and weaknesses within the herd and improve efficiency.

Julia Moorehouse, Head of Veterinary Services at Map of Ag will present research on calf health and management and the crucial stage of rearing dairy heifers, which is the second-largest annual expense for dairy farms, accounting for about 20% of production costs.

Mark Campbell from AHDB’s Agrileader team will discuss the challenges of managing staff on dairy farms and ways to improve employee satisfaction and retention.

James Wilson, Foot Health Consultant with Herd Health Consultancy will present on the topic of lameness in dairy cattle, discussing the challenges it poses to the industry, as well as ways to prevent and treat it. He will also touch on the role of anti-inflammatory drugs in managing lameness and how they can be incorporated into the management of heifers to set them up for success.

Amy Jackson, a public relations expert has recently completed her PhD on the public perception of UK dairy farming. She will share the findings from her studies into what the public really want from dairy farmers. Amy has been involved in issues and crisis management for nearly four decades including in high profile stories on megafarms and antibiotic use.

During her talk, she will highlight what the public think about how cows are managed and the role of dairy farmers. She will also explain how this knowledge can help the industry address reputation challenges and build bridges.

Alan McFazdean, AHDB dairy knowledge exchange manager said: “Dairy farmers in the Yorkshire area are in for a real treat combining the latest research with a visit to a superbly run farming operation. Whether you’re interested in animal health and welfare, your team or the reputation of the industry, this is a meeting you won’t want to miss.”