GB Dairy Calf Strategy Achieves Significant Milestones Amid Renewed Calls for Collaboration

In 2020, the industry-led GB Dairy Calf Strategy was launched with the collaboration of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), aimed at ensuring all dairy-bred calves are raised with care, thus eliminating the need for routine euthanasia.

Progress and Achievements

According to a recently published report by Ruminant Health & Welfare, the strategy has achieved notable successes. A significant rise of 77% in beef cross dairy calves has been recorded. This has been attributed to increased usage of sexed semen, which now comprises 84% of all dairy semen sales.

Furthermore, Red Tractor, a quality assurance scheme, has mandated that all dairy members must implement a written breeding and management policy, preventing the routine euthanasia of dairy bull calves. Changes have also been made to TB policy, including extending pre-movement test validity from 30 to 60 days for cattle moving from TB-restricted holdings to TB Isolation Units (TBIUs).

Paul Tompkins, NFU Dairy Board chair, emphasized the need for ongoing support for dairy farmers to ensure calves are bred with an end market in mind, stating that collaboration with the beef sector remains critical.

Collaborative Efforts for the Future

NFU Livestock Board chair David Barton highlighted the importance of continued collaborative efforts with the dairy sector. Barton emphasized that producing strong, healthy calves with excellent genetics is essential for supplying high-quality British beef.

The strategy suggests that open dialogue across the supply chain is crucial in overcoming challenges and easing pressures on TB-restricted farms.

To support this endeavor, the NFU Livestock Board released a guide to joining dairy-beef integrated supply chains, promoting better decision-making among farmers.