ForFarmers national roadshow focuses on youngstock

Dairy farmers across the country are invited to attend their local ForFarmers youngstock roadshow this autumn.

The events are part of a nationwide roadshow titled “Growing the next generation” which takes place in venues from Cumbria to Cornwall.

The event looks at how to optimise calf health and performance, and ForFarmers youngstock specialists will also discuss the importance of the transition diet on the unborn calf and the role of automation in calf-rearing.

Ann Combes, the youngstock product manager at ForFarmers, said: “Youngstock are the future of all dairy herds and one of the most valuable assets on farm.

“Making sure they are in good health, are given the correct nutrition and housed in the best possible environment is vital to ensure the best possible performance, not only as a calf but also in the milking herd.”

Combes said that industry figures put the total cost of heifer-rearing between £1,000 and £2,000, which demonstrates both the investment and the range in costs that can be associated with youngstock rearing.

“As input costs continue to rise and efficient heifer-rearing is proven to be crucial to farm sustainability, giving youngstock the right start in life is more important than ever,” she said.

Roadshow dates and locations

The roadshow will run from Monday, November 7, until Friday, November 11, and will appear at nine different locations.

The list of roadshow dates and locations are as follows:

Monday, November 7, 10:30a.m – Greenhill Hotel, Wigton, Cumbria;
Monday, November 7, 7:30p.m – Ferraris Country House, Longridge;
Tuesday, November 8, 10:30a.m – Tern Hill Hall, Tern Hill, Market Drayton;
Tuesday, November 8, 7:30p.m – Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold;
Wednesday, November 9, 10:30a.m – Stonehouse Court Hotel, Stroud;
Wednesday, November 9, 7:30p.m – Firehouse Restaurant & Forge Motel, St. Clears, Carmarthenshire;
Thursday, November 10, 10:30a.m – Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, Dorset;
Thursday, November 10, 7:30p.m – Junction 24, Sedgemoor Auction Centre;
Friday, November 11, 10:30a.m – Trethorne Leisure Park, Launceston.