Dairy Event to focus on efficiency and profitability local award winner joins SAC panel of experts
Award winning NE stockperson Heather Duffus will share the limelight with other dairying experts at an SAC producers event, planned for the Mackies dairy unit at Rothienorman on October 4th. Heather, who is the Young-stock Manager at Mackies, recently won Scotlands Calf Rearer of the Year Award, sponsored by Volac. She will join several SAC specialists at the Dairy Focus Event which will concentrate on areas of the dairy enterprise where efficiency and profitability could be improved.
Heather has been working with the dairy team at Mackies for 18 years. She is responsible for over 400 animals from birth to 2 years old. The unit at Rothienorman has Jersey, Holstein and Swedish Red cows, each with their own characteristics. For Heather successful rearing starts with good quality Colostrum ( see notes), to help establish a sound immune system, then attention to hygiene.
Heather was presented with her award at the recent national Dairy Event, held at the NEC Birmingham. She just failed to take the overall UK award but learned a lot from the all expenses paid trip to the Show, Her calves will also welcome the half tonne of milk powder due to be delivered soon.
A chance to see the calf rearing programme at Mackies will be part of the day for visiting farmers. Heather will be joined by dairy manager Jim Petrie, who amongst other things will explain how they use the robotic milking machines at Mackies to ensure performance is maximised.
Added to this, on a high value day, many of SACs well respected dairying experts will be on hand, including leading consultant Jimmy Goldie. He will discuss the benefits of balancing feed rations to aid performance while controlling costs. The Head of SACs Dairy Research, Dr Dave Roberts will highlight the latest research being undertaken by SAC to help dairy farmers in Scotland and beyond.
Herd health is of key importance. The farms local vet, Chris Solomon (From Dunnydeer Vets) will outline how they manage the three breeds on the farm to keep them in good health. Joining him will be two SAC vets. Colin Mason, SACs Leading Dairy Vet will cover mastitis control, while Catriona Ritchie, from SACs Vet Lab at Aberdeen will explain how giving calves a good start in life can go a long way to reducing the high number of calf deaths on many UK dairy farms.
To book your place at this free event (lunch provided), please contact SAC Thainstone on 01467 625385. SAC acknowledges support for advisory activity from Scottish Government.
Colostrum the first milk produced by a newly calved cow, for the first few days. It is rich in antibodies which help calves defend themselves against infection.