In 2020, facilitated by the NFU and AHDB, the industry-led GB Dairy Calf Strategy 2020-2023 was launched. The aim of the strategy was for all dairy-bred calves to be reared with care and therefore eliminate the need for routine euthanasia.
The strategy was based on seven priority areas:
- Rear all calves with care.
- Encourage responsible breeding strategies through farm assurance.
- Better communication of market requirements.
- Increase the number of bio-secure routes for TB-affected herds.
- Supporting Britain’s beef sector.
- Opening up new pathways and supply chain opportunities for dairy bred calves.
- Innovation and supporting R&D.
“It is vital dairy farmers continue to have the support and knowledge needed to help ensure all calves are bred with an end market in mind; collaboration with the beef sector is vital to achieving this.”
NFU Dairy Board chair Paul Tompkins
Industry progress
Ruminant Health & Welfare has now published a report on progress made by the industry, reflecting on what the strategy has achieved.
Notable successes include:
- The number of beef cross dairy calves being born rose by 77% while at the same time, the number of dairy bull calves being born on British farms reduced by 65%. This has been done through an increased usage of sexed semen, which now accounts for 84% of all dairy semen sales.
- Red Tractor set out requirements which require all dairy members to have a written breeding and management policy to ensure there is no routine euthanasia of dairy bull calves.
- An increase in the validity of pre-movement tests from 30 to 60 days for cattle moved from TB-restricted holdings to TBIUs (TB Isolation Units).
- The removal of the requirement for cattle moved from one AFU (Approved Finishing Unit) to another, or indirectly through a TB dedicated sale, to have a pre-movement test.
- TB-affected keepers can now move cattle to AFUs or licenced slaughterhouses under a general, rather than animal-specific licence.
“Joined up and collaborative working with the dairy sector is absolutely essential to ensure that strong, healthy, well-bred calves with good genetics are produced so we can continue to supply high-quality British beef that our customers demand.”
NFU Livestock Board chair David Barton
Continued collaboration is vital
NFU Dairy Board chair Paul Tompkins said: “The NFU has supported the GB Dairy Calf Strategy since its inception and, as the latest figures show, we have seen considerable successes and progress in rearing dairy bred calves for the beef market.
“It is vital dairy farmers continue to have the support and knowledge needed to help ensure all calves are bred with an end market in mind; collaboration with the beef sector is vital to achieving this.
“Collaboration between industry, government and stakeholders has also delivered meaningful TB policy changes to increase access for TB restricted calves into bio-secure routes to market.
“We must continue to overcome challenges and identify solutions through open discussion with input from across the supply chain to build resilience and ease pressures on TB restricted farms.”
NFU livestock board chair David Barton added: “Due to the success of the GB Dairy Calf Strategy, beef from the dairy sector has become more established.
“Joined up and collaborative working with the dairy sector is absolutely essential to ensure that strong, healthy, well-bred calves with good genetics are produced so we can continue to supply high-quality British beef that our customers demand.”
- Read the full progress report at: Ruminant Health & Welfare | GB Dairy Calf Strategy – a review of progress 2020-2023
- Download the strategy at: AHDB | GB Dairy Calf Strategy 2020–2023
Integrated dairy-beef contract business guide
If you are thinking about joining a dairy-beef integrated supply chain scheme, the NFU Livestock Board has produced a non-exhaustive list of questions that might be helpful for you to consider
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