Two day beef production study tour opens for applications

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is offering farmers the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands to learn about innovative approaches to managing antibiotic usage in dairy bred beef calves.

A batch of freshly weaned dairy beef calves

This two day study tour will focus on methods put in place in the rearing of dairy bred calves to reduce the usage of antibiotics while maintaining high levels of performance and low levels of mortality.

This study tour is part of the Farm Innovation Visits Scheme which is being delivered by DAERA’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). The tour will include visits to a veterinary practice providing details on the Netherlands antibiotic reduction to date, several progressive veal units and the Trouw Nutrition calf research centre.

The group will leave from Northern Ireland on Tuesday morning 28 January 2020 and return on Thursday 30 January 2020. The tour will be led by CAFRE senior beef and sheep adviser Ciaran Hamill and CAFRE beef technologist Natasha Ferguson.

Applications are invited from one member or employee of the farm business who is actively farming with a minimum of 30 dairy beef bred animals reared on farm to at least 14 weeks of age, who is over 18 years old on the application closing date and not in full-time education. To increase the benefits arising from the study tour all applicants must identify a group of farmers to share their findings with upon their return. Sixteen places are available and these will be allocated on a competitive basis.

The Farm Innovation Visit Scheme, which is part of the NI Rural Development Programme and part funded by the EU, will cover the costs associated with setting up the visit, accommodation, travel outside of Northern Ireland, and meals when abroad. Participants will be expected to meet any additional costs, including farm relief and travel insurance.

Farmers who are interested in participating in this study tour can find out more details and complete an online application from the CAFRE website.

Applications open on Tuesday 17 December 2019 and close at 4.00pm on Monday 6 January 2020.

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