| 2013-10-18 |    |
DairyCo Hosts Research Day for Scotland and Northern England
The very latest science in tackling mastitis, reducing soil compaction and making the most of nutrients from slurry are just some of the subjects to be covered in a DairyCo Research Day on 12 November 2013.
To be held at the SRUC's Crichton Royal Farm Dairy Unit, Glencaple Road, Dumfries on 12th November from 10:30am to 3:00pm, courtesy of award-winning farm manager Hugh McClymont.
photo © farm-images.co.uk
DairyCo has recently ‘upped' its commitment to R&D to provide the scientific evidence needed to underpin progress, and the research day is a chance to see how some of this investment is paying off. The Scottish Rural University College is an apt setting given its three-way DairyCo Research Partnership with The University of Nottingham and Harper Adams University.
Laura Masters from DairyCo says: "Since June 2011, partnerships have been in place for Health, Welfare and Nutrition, and for Soils, Forage and Grassland. While these five-year programmes provide the backbone of DairyCo research effort, we also have over 50 other individual projects across a range of subjects."
Other topics for the research day include:Effective sole lesion treatments
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Economics of heifer rearing
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Using lucerne silage as an alternative forage
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Research on digital dermatitis, Johne's Disease, mineral nutrition and outwintering heifers
As well as this, the day offers a chance to discuss the emerging findings with the scientists involved.
There will also be an opportunity to view the dairy facilities and plans for new calf housing at SRUC, where Hugh has been exploring ways of calf rearing with large igloos to make the most of open ventilation.
Laura adds: "DairyCo makes considerable efforts to fund unique, practical and applied research which can be applied on farm. We actively seek to work collaboratively with other funders and sectors of the industry, including our partner divisions in AHDB to ensure complementary effort and, maximum return on levy.
"We also have a close collaboration with dairy levy bodies in Europe (within the European Cattle Innovation Partnership), so we can avoid duplication and combine knowledge. The research day is a great chance to learn more about the work being undertaken with your levy and talk to the scientists and DairyCo staff involved."
