AHDB Dairy are holding a free meeting at Nether Affleck farm, Lanarkshire next week on Tuesday, November 1st from 10.45am to 2.30pm, with free lunch provided, to discuss calf rearing and lameness in cows.

The event is part of the Calf to Calving (C2C) initiative where the growth, health and nutrition of 10 heifers on 12 farms are being monitored every three months. C2C enables dairy farmers to achieve measured improvements in heifer rearing, specifically in calf and heifer survival, growth, health, fertility and age at first calving.

Efficient heifer rearing has been a key focus of AHDB Dairy after a study last year showed significant variation in the cost for farmers across Britain. The daily cost of rearing per heifer ranged from £1.47 to £3.35 with an average of £2.31.

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 900 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 232.2p per kg and an average of 199p (-2.5p on the fortnight), while 1287 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 236.8p and levelled at 214.8p (+8.1p). Two-hundred-and forty-five store, B&W bullocks sold to 163.3p and averaged 129.3p (-0.9p).

In the rough ring 225 beef cows sold to 167.7p and averaged 100.6p, while 35 dairy cows peaked at 107.7p and levelled at 69.5p.

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 19 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 224.5p and an average of 189.4p.

There were 53 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows sold to £1182.60 per head and 191p per kg to average 107.9p, while dairy cows peaked at £539.50 and 83p to level at 63.7p.

The firm also sold 1291 prime lambs to a top of £83 per head and 200p per kg to average 168.1p (+13.6p on the week).

A nice show of 449 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £107.50 for Texels and average £60.47 (+£5.52), while light ewes peaked at £72.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £43.68 (+£6.52).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1410 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £85 and 182p to average 167p (+13p).

There were also 492 cast sheep forward when ewes were easier on the week and sold to £110 for a Texel and £55 for Blackfaces.

The firm went on to sell 113 store heifers at Ayr yesterday to a top of £1100 per head and 224.7p per kg to average £800.04 and 195.8p (+1.6p), while 119 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1255 and 254.8p to level at £812.80 and 204.8p (-2p). Twenty-five store, B&W bullocks sold to £750 and 150p to average £656.84 and 135.6p (-2p).