GB Calf Week

Great British Calf Week will celebrate the launch of the GB Calf Strategy 2025–2030 on 10 September with a series of events over the following week (10–19 September) focused on the theme of data and knowledge sharing.

• Dairy beef breeding and genetics
• Calf rearing management
• Maximising potential in the supply chain

• GB Calf Strategy 2025–2030 launch

  • Hear about the new strategy at the AHDB stand at Dairy Day

• Devon: Inside calf health - post mortem insights with Ben Strugnell

  • A fascinating and educational evening focused on calf health, featuring veterinary pathologist Ben Strugnell. Hosted by AHDB

• UK Dairy Day: Lung scanning demonstration
  • AHDB and Shropshire Farm Vets will demonstrate and discuss lung scanning techniques using calves, looking at data. We will show how lung scanning can help dairy farmers assess lung damage caused by pneumonia and understand its impact as calves transition into the milking herd
  • 11:30am–1:00pm, The International Centre, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4JH

• Coffee and calves at Bidlea Dairy
  
  • Come along to see Bidlea’s exciting plans for their new calf building, join a respiratory workshop led by Ruminant Revival consultant and vet Lahra Harcourt-Brown, and a quiz led by Promar consultant George Peart. Free to attend with donations collected for Farming Community Network
  • 10:30am-1:00pm Bidlea Dairy, Twemlow Lane, Holmes Chapel, CW4 8DS
• Webinar: Feeding transition milk - what do we need to know? 
  • Join SCCL Consultant Veterinarian Dr Ryan Davies for an insightful webinar on effective transition milk feeding practices
  • 10:00am
• Webinar: Identifying causes of calf pneumonia to help you choose the right vaccines 
  • Hear from Joshua Batterham, Technical Services Vet at HIPRA, about the benefits of vaccination protocols
  • 1:00pm–2:00pm
• Webinar: Crypto crisis - what is behind the increasing levels of cryptosporidium on UK dairy farms? 
  • Learn top tips on reducing crypto incidence with Progiene, from an award-winning farm on protocols that work
  • 7:00pm–7:45pm

• Smart starts: Unlocking lifetime value from every calf
  • Join AHDB for a practical, on-farm event exploring how to get the most from every calf, from birth to beef, as part of GB Calf Week in collaboration with the Farm Net Zero Project
• Webinar: Efficient calf rearing – from research to results
  • Join the Calf Action Network for an hour of practical insights, expert advice and on-farm experience on raising healthy, thriving calves efficiently. Bringing together voices from across the industry, including calf nutritionist Julia Wadeson, vet Tonia Simms, Jade Toone from Buitelaar and researcher Dr Laura Palzynski, we’ll share preliminary findings from our Delphi consensus study on the industry’s top research priorities. Whether you’re a farmer, vet or adviser, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and actionable tips to boost calf health, welfare, and profitability
  • 12:30pm-1:30pm

• Carmarthen: Calf health from the inside out
  • Join AHDB and vet and livestock behavioural expert Tommy Heffernan for an engaging and practical session on calf health
• Webinar: Economical heifer rearing for a sustainable and profitable future 
  • Hear from Ginny Sherwin, a vet and European-recognised specialist in bovine health management, about key heifer performance metrics, presenting in partnership with Calf Action Network
  • 12:15pm–1:15pm

• Webinar: Calf rearing excellence – Expert advice on health and productivity

  • Aimed at dairy and suckler farmers, and calf rearers, this webinar with Ben Strugnell of Farm Post Mortems Ltd will give essential insights for a thriving herd. Hosted by AHDB
  • 7:30pm–8:45pm
• Webinar: Preventing calf disease ahead of the housing season - are you ready?
  • Join The Calf Action Network and vet Kat Baxter-Smith from MSD to hear why calves fall sick during the housing season and gain practical advice about 'immunity led prevention' to protect calves before the risk period. Topics will include pneumonia vaccination, colostrum and transition milk feeding, and utilising dam vaccination to prevent calf scour, especially focusing on cryptosporidiosis
  • 3:00pm

• Somerset: Calf health from the inside out
  • Join AHDB and vet and livestock behavioural expert Tommy Heffernan for an engaging and practical session on calf health
• Cheshire: Foundations of farming – Soil health and calf care
  • Join AHDB and Fram Farmers for an unmissable soil health day and learn more about bull selection to ensure a great start for your calves
• Wiltshire: Smooth weaning and transitioning to success
  • Led by vet Kathryn Hart, this session supports successful weaning and transition. Please email farm@georgevetgroup.co.uk or phone 01666 823035 to book
  • 11:00am–2:00pm, Ryall, Woodhill Farm, Brinkworth, Wiltshire, SN15 5AU
• Webinar: The benefits of pair compared to individual calf housing
  
  • Hear from Sophie Mahendran, vet and specialist in cattle health and production, about the latest research, presenting in partnership with Calf Action Network
  • 12:30pm–1:30pm

• Derbyshire: Calf health from the inside out
  • Join AHDB and vet and livestock behavioural expert Tommy Heffernan for an engaging and practical session on calf health
• Devon: Right start, right carcase, right market
  • From breeding decisions to butchery, this hands-on roadshow will help you unlock the value hidden in every animal. Hosted by AHDB
• Dorset: Bang for your buck – making the best beef bull choices
  • Hosted by Friars Moor Livestock Health, this farm event includes refreshments. Phone 01258 472314 or email farmoffice@fmlh.co.uk to book
  • 10:30am–1:00pm, near Sturminster Newton
• Webinar: Beyond basics – Rearing calves with care and vision
  • Hear from Halcyon Hayward about what the GB Calf Strategy 2025–2030 means for farmers and suppliers. Email katie.thorley@abpbeef.com to book
  • 8:00–9:00pm
• Webinar: ImmunIGY – Measuring igG levels in calves and what it means for calf health and the sector
  • Ensuring calves receive sufficient antibodies form colostrum is vital for their health, productivity, and long-term performance. The ImmunIGY test accurately measures IgG levels in calves up to 42 days of age, giving farmers and vets valuable insight into colostrum management. This session will provide actionable knowledge to support better decision-making and healthier calves
  • 12:30–1:30pm

• Cheshire: Calf health from the inside out
  • Join AHDB and vet and livestock behavioural expert Tommy Heffernan for an engaging and practical session on calf health
• Webinar: The next leap forward in fatty acid technology in milk replacers
  
  • Join Dr Laura Tennant from Trouw Nutrition to hear about recent advances in calf nutrition research, highlighting the importance of fat composition in milk replacers leading to improved growth and smooth weaning.
  • 10:30am
• Bideford: Advanced calf rearing course
  • Take part in this course covering calf nutrition, housing, and monitoring from birth to weaning to ensure healthy and productive animals. Email events@torchvets.com to book
  • 10:30am–1:30pm, High Park Farm Littleham, Bideford EX39 5EE
• Devon: Calf Health Workshop
  • Join South Moor Vets at an on-farm workshop covering calf data, husbandry and health. For more details and to book please email farm@southmoorvets.co.uk or call 01803 900181
  • 1:30pm–4:00pm, East Allington, South Devon

• Practical calf rearing course
  • Vale Farm Vets' interactive course, designed for people rearing dairy heifers and beef calves, covers all the critical parts of successful calf rearing. For more details and to book email farmoffice@valevetgroup.com or call 01884 32228
  • 10:00am–3:30pm, Gittisham, Nr Honiton. Lunch is included

• Vlogs: How data and management can reduce chemical crutches in calf rearing 
  • Join the Ruminant Revival team for five short, practical videos exploring how to tackle familiar calf-rearing challenges in smarter, more sustainable ways.
  • 11 September - Colostrum beyond IgG
  • 12 September - Feeding for immunity
  • 15 September - Hidden powers of the correct environment
  • 16 September - Smarter calf care – observations to data
  • 17 September - Using data to cut reliance on medicines
  • These little films champion the idea that resilience starts early, in those crucial first hours and weeks of life, and that small, targeted changes can bring long-term benefits for calf health, growth and overall system performance. Alongside the videos, written guides, technical notes and case studies will be released throughout the week, all available via LinkedIn and the Ruminant Revival website. 

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