| 2013-04-22 |  |
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The health, production and financial challenges which present when large herds enter the growth phase provide the theme for the eighth annual Large Herd Seminar, ‘Investing for the future’, which will be held at The Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel, Wotton-under-Edge, South Gloucestershire on 25th and 26th June 2013.
Now regarded as one of the most important events in the dairy industry’s calendar, the Large Herd Seminar specifically addresses the information needs of large-scale UK dairy producers, large animal vets, agricultural supply trade professionals and others involved with large dairy herds. Organised by Lillico Attlee, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned agricultural merchants and the Evidence Based Veterinary Consultancy, a Penrith-based independent veterinary consultancy, with key sponsorship from Elanco and Zinpro, it provides delegates with access to the latest research findings, management know-how and practical techniques from all over the world. As in previous years, the programme will feature national and international speakers of the highest calibre and address a wide range of technical issues which impact on the dairy sector.
Organizer Richard Vacqueray of EBVC
One theme running throughout the event will be how producers can safely develop their herd’s performance and efficiency. On the agenda will be practical topics such as monitoring, making best use of laboratorybased services, management issues and nutrition. The popular farmer panel sessions will provide an opportunity to learn from the experience of others who are expanding and developing their businesses.
Organizer Warwick Bastard - Lillico Attlee
Providing delegates with time for networking and discussion, the programme starts with an optional commercial pre-seminar and lunch from 11.30 to 13.30 on the first day. This free-to-attend event, for which tickets must be booked in advance, will include presentations by Dr Ric Grummer of Balchem and emeritus professor at the University of Wisconsin who will discuss ‘Strategies to help metabolic stress in the freshlycalved cow’, while Dr Nicola Walker from Lallemand Animal Nutrition will focus on ‘Ruminant Enzymes: The future of dairy cow nutrition’.
The first day of the Large Herd Seminar will include four presentations in two sessions. In the first, Gordy Jones of Central Sands Dairy in the United States will discuss ‘Feeding the dry cow’, while Arturo Gomez from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine will consider ‘What causes digital dermatitis? Know your enemy’. Session two will include presentations by Greg Bethard of G & R Consulting Inc. on the ‘Economics of replacement’ and John Fetrow, Professor of Dairy Production Medicine at the University of Minnesota, who will cover ‘The economics of feeding dairy cows - Is common sense misleading?’
The first day’s proceedings will conclude with a panel discussion, prior to an evening reception and dinner.
Day Two will start with a presentation by James Breen, Lecturer in Cattle Health and Production at the University of Nottingham, on the subject of ‘Mastitis Control – a unified approach’, while a trio of speakers, Tim Geraghty, Lorenzo Viora from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School together with Scottish dairy farmer David Hamilton, will look at ‘The sad case of Cow 28: Monitoring for a better future’.
In the second morning session Gordy Jones’ presentation ‘Managing the expanding herd’ will be followed by a farmer panel to discuss ‘Managing expansion well’.
The afternoon session will include four topic areas. In ‘Growing my business: 2500 cows in Germany’ German dairy farmer Martin Moos will providing a fascinating insight into managing a very large herd on the continent, while Greg Bethard will discuss ‘Monitoring and improving feed costs’. The concluding presentations will come from Arturo Gomez on the subject of ‘Modern management of digital dermatitis’, while John Fetrow will deliver the second part of his presentation ‘The economics of feeding dairy cows; is common sense misleading?’
The Large Herd Seminar would not be possible without the generous support of the sponsors, who are carefully selected for their ability to enhance the programme with evidence-based information and data.
This year’s Platinum-level sponsors include Elanco and Zinpro, with Gold-level sponsorship from Alta, AB Vista, Micron Bio-Systems, Mole Valley Farmers and Volac, while Silver sponsors include DairyCo, Rumenco, EnviroSystems and Farm Business, with NMR a Bronze sponsor.
Announcing the programme for the
8th Large Herd Seminar, Richard Vecqueray, a Director of the Evidence
Based Veterinary Consultancy, states:
“We have lined up a range of world-class speakers and a programme which
will further enhance the reputation of the Large Herd Seminar, which
has gone from strength to strength since the first event was held in
2006. The event’s popularity continues to grow because it provides producers
and managers with the latest technical information and ideas they need
to maximise herd performance and financial returns.”
This prestigious event always sells out quickly so it is advisable to book tickets and accommodation early. Attending both days costs £190, including dinner on the first evening and lunch the following day. Delegates attending only the first day will pay £80 (£115 with dinner) while tickets for Wednesday’s programme costs £90, including lunch. A concessionary rate, discounted by 20%, is available to farmers/herd managers, who pay £158.33 for the two days, £66.66 (£95.82) for the first day and £75.00 for the second. Prices include VAT and bookings should be made through the Large Herd Seminar website www.largeherds.com
Accommodation must be booked directly with The Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel on 01454 263000. A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a special discounted delegate B & B rate and those booking before 14 May quoting reference 75945 will pay just £89 per night for single occupancy, £109 for double occupancy.
