Boots, bugs and biosecurity: What Denmark does differently

Denmark is widely recognised for its leadership in animal health and disease management. Hear from two farmers and a vet about the differences between our two nations and what learnings they took from a study tour earlier this year.

What you'll learn about

• The UK disease status and our strengths and weaknesses
• Practical farm views and insight into two different systems from farmers Sophie Gregory and Alistair Cliff
• Disease, biosecurity relationships and our perceptions
• Identifying the challenges and benefits of change on farm

Vet view

Josh Swain, Synergy farm health, will explain the current UK disease status, strengths and weaknesses and his views as a practising livestock vet.

He'll focus on national animal health status, what we can do to continually improve and how we can work as a nation to safeguard our herds, along with where to target our efforts.

Farmer view

We'll get first-hand insights into two farming systems from farmers Sophie and Alistair.

They'll share an overview of their systems, the challenges and pressures they face in relation to disease, and how they plan to control their businesses in the future.

We'll delve into their views on disease and biosecurity relationships and find out what they think will become a priority in the future, as well as the potential challenges and benefits of change.

Speakers

Josh Swain

Josh is a practising farm vet and shareholder within Synergy Farm Health, based in the Southwest. 

His focus is on dairy health and production, particularly block calvers, mastitis and lameness.

Sophie Gregory

Sophie farms in partnership with her husband on the Dorset, Devon and Somerset border.

She works with both organic and conventional herds selling to Arla, where she is also on the board of representatives.

She enjoys sharing her journey online and advocating for British farming.

Alistair Cliff

Alistair and his family farm grass-based systems in Cheshire and Shropshire, autumn calving with milk supplied to a local cheesemaker.

He is working on growing their business with the purchase of Bankhead Farm, Shropshire in 2025.