Launched today at UK Dairy Day, the marks the next chapter for the industry and follows on from the 2020-2023 iteration of the strategy, which was instrumental in dramatically reducing the euthanasia of dairy calves on farm.
Produced in collaboration between AHDB, Innovation for Agriculture, the NFU and RH&W (Ruminant Health and Welfare), the strategy includes industry input from 45 farmers, vets, processors, retailers, and industry bodies.
Since 2014, pure dairy bull calf birth registrations have reduced by 69% and correspondingly, dairy-beef calf registrations have increased by 74%.
As a result, just over half of cattle slaughtered for beef in GB now come from the dairy herd, with 37% of that being prime age cattle.
鈥淪ignificant progress has been made over the past few years to ensure every dairy calf is reared with care and has a clear purpose within the supply chain,鈥� said NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins.听
Read: GB Dairy Calf Strategy progress report shows significant successes
Right calf, right start, right route
To fulfil its overarching goal of rearing every calf with care and purpose, the strategy is split into three pillars:
- Right Calf 鈥� led by AHDB
- Right Start 鈥� led by Innovation for Agriculture
- Right Route 鈥� led by the NFU
鈥淎s we move the GB Calf Strategy on to the next phase, it is important dairy farmers continue to have the support and knowledge they need to enable their farm businesses to be sustainable, productive and profitable.鈥�
NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins
The strategy will feed into the Ruminant Health and Welfare Group which brings industry and governments from the four UK nations together.
Each pillar will have its own working group made up of industry stakeholders and will be accountable against a set of Key Performance Indicators.
- Read more about the three pillars.听
- See the strategy in full at:
鈥淐ontinuing our close working relationship with the dairy sector will result in strong, healthy, well-bred calves with good genetics being produced for the beef supply chain.鈥�
NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton
Strong dairy-beef relationships
Together with Paul, NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton stressed the need for continued collaboration between the two sectors.
鈥淐ontinuing our close working relationship with the dairy sector will result in strong, healthy, well-bred calves with good genetics being produced for the beef supply chain,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his will ensure鈥痺e can keep supplying high-quality and nutritious British beef to both domestic and international markets 鈥� while at the same time ensuring future trade agreements do not undermine our own high standards of welfare.鈥澨�
Paul added: 鈥淎s we move the GB Calf Strategy on to the next phase, it is important dairy farmers continue to have the support and knowledge they need to enable their farm businesses to be sustainable, productive and profitable.
鈥淎 close working relationship with the beef sector is vital to achieving this as is continued collaboration鈥痓etween industry, government and stakeholders to deliver meaningful changes to TB policy that increases access for TB restricted calves into bio-secure routes to market.鈥澨�
GB Calf Strategy pillars
Right Calf
Facilitate informed breeding decisions so calves born fit the requirements of the beef and dairy industry
| Goal | Action |
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Information is available to support farmers to make proactive breeding decisions for both dairy calf supply chain and beef calf supply chains.听 |
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| Information is available within the supply chain to incentivise proactive breeding decisions.听 |
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Right Start
Promote consistent delivery of best practise care for calves up to 12 weeks of age to ensure they have a good start and can reach their full potential
| Goal | Action |
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Promote consistent delivery of best practise care for calves up to 12 weeks of age to ensure they have a good start and can reach their full potential. |
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| The value of calf stockmanship is recognised by the industry. |
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| Reduce the impact of TB testing on calf rearing to improve handler and calf safety, flexibility in onward movements and weaning at an appropriate age to maximise growth potential and calf values.听 |
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Right Route
Promote a fair, reputable, and transparent calf supply chain that enables productive, profitable, and sustainable farm businesses
| Goal | Action |
| Bio-secure routes to market are accessible to all herds affected by bTB, including herds under movement restrictions.听 |
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| 听Engage with traceability systems to share health, productivity, and sustainability data across the calf supply chain听 |
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| 听Promote British beef and dairy and ensure a fit for purpose calf supply chain.听 |
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Get more information on the strategy, including supportive stakeholders at:
