Campus set for dairy technology event

Posted 23 April 2010

Harper Adam University College is preparing to host its second dairy open event, and share a vast array of practical knowledge with visiting farmers.

The Dairy Technology Event takes place on May 5 at the dairy unit on the Harper Adams campus, near Newport in Shropshire. It follows a successful open day last September, when the new, high-tech unit was formally opened.

Harper Adams Principal Dr David Llewellyn said: “We’re hoping to build on the opening of the dairy unit with a day focussed on innovation and research that will bring the latest developments to the attention of those in the dairy sector.

“The new unit is being actively used for research and innovation. Not only do we have staff working in dairy research, but we also have a number of research students looking at cow behaviour: grazing patterns and choice, methane emissions to the atmosphere and so on.

“All of these activities build the unit into a major centre for practical research that will be of direct benefit to the farming community.

“So we’re confident that this will be an invaluable event for all dairy farmers and we very much look forward to seeing you at Harper Adams on May 5.”

Harper Adams Farm Manager Scott Kirby added: “It’s very much a day focussed on around technology. Increasingly the industry is becoming very much more focussed on the professional aspects of what they do. Technology plays a huge role in that so any event such as this one, that gives them access to the new technologies, people at the cutting edge of some of these new ideas, is going to be invaluable for the progressive dairy farmer.”

The event is being organised in conjunction with Fusion Events, whose Event Director Andy Newbold said: “The primary aim is to help equip dairy farmers with a toolkit to help them to do their job better. So we really want practical dairy farmers, dairy herd managers, consultants and other people who are involved in the industry, to come and have a good look on the day.

“We will have a number of practical sessions, including working demonstrations, soil pits, DairyCo explaining the importance of compaction, we’ll also be looking at cow tracks, the hoof trimming association will be doing hoof trimming demos and Owen Atkinson from a local vets will be talking about cow signals.”

For practical information and to register for free tickets visit www.farm-smart.co.uk/dairy-technology