Researchers seeking input of calf rearers for Eu-funded project

Dairy calf rearers are invited to take part in a new project to help improve animal health.

Researchers at the James Hutton Institute, based at Invergowrie near Dundee, are looking for calf rearers to attend a workshop next month as part of an Eu-funded research project.

The workshop, which takes place on March 3, is one of three events as part of the project.

It aims to identify the challenges calf rearers face and help come up with solutions within the dairy industry to improve animal health and make calf rearers’ lives easier.

“Calf rearing can be a lonely job on the farm, with little chance to share experiences and learn from other calf rearers,” said Dr Orla Shortall, a social scientist at the James Hutton Institute.

The workshop aims to identify solutions at and beyond the farm level and present these solutions to policy makers and industry stakeholders.”

She said Hutton scientists were looking for views and stories from calf rearers, whether they are just starting out or have years of experience.

Anyone wishing to take part in the workshop is asked to contact Carol Kyle at carol.kyle@ hutton.ac.uk.

Dr Shortall said the workshop is part of research about the changing antimicrobial usage on farms called ROADMAP: Rethinking of Antimicrobial Decision-systems in the Management of Animal Production. It is funded by the European Commission’s research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020.

Calf rearers’ input is being sought for workshop.