Stakeholder Group Members
The current chairman of SWHLI is Richard Stanbury.
The following organisations are currently members of the SWHLI consortium. Click on the organization name to view a profile of these organizations.
ADAS UK Ltd
ADAS is the leading research based consultancy to rural and land-based industries. Our research informs policy initiatives and our consultancy draws on this knowledge to improve the competitiveness, safety and protection of rural industries. ADAS Livestock Consultants are well acquainted with livestock distribution and farming systems, are well known for their technology transfer skills and work with Government and customers in the livestock industries. Our expertise includes animal husbandry and management, breeding, nutrition, animal health and welfare, and economics. In addition, ADAS has proven programme and project management skills involving large complex and collaborative projects, that involve close working with livestock farmers. Example projects include: Defra Livestock KT project (2001), Sheep EID project involving 25 farm sites in SW England (2004-06), XLVets ‘dairy' Cattle Health Initiative project (2007-08).
ADAS are involved in national animal welfare campaigns for Defra on various topics at venues throughout England and also with the Welsh Assembly. Examples of campaigns dairy cattle lameness, calf rearing, lamb survival, nursery management of pigs and free range layers. In addition ADAS is currently involved in both sheep and cattle farm health planning projects involving focus farm activity and working closely with veterinary surgeons. ADAS has a proven track record in technology transfer of applied research work (Government and corporate) and regularly holds Open Days, seminars and evening meetings, as well as exhibits at key industry events, to disseminate research and technical information.
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Blade Farming South West Ltd
The objective of the Blade beef production operation is to produce high quality beef through consistent production methods. Blade have hand selected beef finishers that produce beef to the same standards and finishing systems. The Blade Farming business was established in 1999 as a means to secure the supply of consistent finished cattle into Southern Counties Fresh Foods at Langport. As the business has grown, and the major Retailers have begun to realise the value of a reputable supply chain which can supply consistently high quality meat into the consumer, Blade Farming has been able to develop a network of dairy farmers who supply calves into the contract calf rearing units. Up to 16,000 calves a year are being reared in one of the 16 specialist Rearing units spread throughout the South West, and all the calves are reared to a specific protocol. Calves are sold on to contract finishers at 12 weeks. The Contract finishers sell their finished cattle to SCFF on a fixed forward price contract.
Blade Farming has a developmental IT recording package based on the EID system, improving the traceability of cattle in the system. These systems will record liveweight gains and full medical histories providing finishing units with valuable information.
The Blade business continues to evolve with a number of new initiatives in beef production. In order for these new initiatives to produce the quality of meat that today's discerning consumer requires, the basic principles of quality, consistency and efficiency must be delivered throughout the integrated production chain.
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BPEX
BPEX Ltd represents pig levy payers in England. BPEX Ltd is focused on enhancing the competitiveness, efficiency and profitability for English pig levy payers and driving demand for English pork and pig meat products in Britain and globally.
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Duchy College
Duchy College is part of the Cornwall College group, specialising in education and training for land-based industries. Cornwall College is a partner in the University for Cornwall. Duchy College is partner in the PPRE collaboration with IGER North Wyke and Plymouth and Exeter Universities and member of the SWELBEC initiative and LANDEX. Duchy College's Rural Business School (RBS) provides education, business support and research for rural industries, including leading the SW England Farm Business Survey with Exeter University.The RBS has considerable experience in regional development, having hosted Objective One and Defra funded initiatives, including the Vocational Training Scheme (VTS), Grassland Challenge and Organic Studies Centre. The VTS co-ordinates extensive demand-led farmer training, with a strong animal health emphasis. Grassland Challenge focussed on farmer groups and demonstration farms. The Organic Studies Centre undertakes applied R&D, including Defra-funded animal health and welfare research, on-farm trials and demonstration.
The RBS has a strength in co-ordinating training initiatives between veterinary practices and farmers, particularly with regard to health planning, having managed the Devon Farm Health Planning Group and the Beacon Award winning Animal Health Plan project in Devon and Cornwall. At the Rosewarne campus, Duchy College has a veterinary nursing department providing support to a network of veterinary practices across the south west. The new Agri-Food Innovation Centre at the Stoke Climsland campus provides a state-of-the-art facility and assistance to food and drink businesses.
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EBLEX - the English Beef and Lamb Executive
The English Beef and Lamb Executive's (EBLEX) objective is to create a profitable, sustainable and competitive beef and lamb sector. We deliver a wide range of technology transfer and market information services to businesses across the English beef and lamb supply chain, including - the Beef and Lamb Better Returns Programme which has more than 15,000 farmer members, nationwide; work with the abattoir sector to develop premium meat ranges, add value to fifth-quarter by-products and reduce costs of waste products disposal; a web-based market reporting service giving daily livestock auction prices, weekly reports from deadweight centres, and weekly retail prices, plus longer-range analyses of the outlook for English beef and lamb producers.
We also own the EBLEX Quality Standard Mark (QSM), which is the UK's only assurance scheme to include an eating quality requirement for beef and lamb. QSM promotions for English beef and lamb include - TV advertising featuring Ian 'Beefy' Botham and Alan 'Lamby' Lamb backed by advertorials and press coverage in women's' magazines and regional newspapers; the ever popular Tuck-in recipe books distributed with eye-catching point of sale material to independent QSM butchers; and support for farmers selling home-produced beef and lamb direct to the consumer.
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Kingshay
Kingshay has a well established track record of providing independent advice to dairy farmers.
Technology transfer: Working with progressive milk producers throughout the UK, providing practical support through reports and technical bulletins issued fortnightly based on the results of farm-based research, field scale evaluations, surveys, product comparisons and tests conducted by the team of specialists.
Training Workshops are provided throughout the country on a range of subjects including Herd Fertility, Lameness Prevention, Mastitis Management, Dairy Cow Feeding, Staff Training & Motivation and Livestock Business Management. Most workshops receive funding support from Defra, Lantra, MDC and others sources and are held on farms. A training facility is available at Kingshay's base at Bridge Farm.
Dairy Consultancy advisers: We have a network of 20 associate consultants and 7 associate vet practices providing independent on-farm advice, backed up by our extensive research database and technical support from our team of dairy specialists. Kingshay advisors also deliver training and advice via the Defra Cross Compliance programme and the Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative.
Complementary services and products include, Dairy herd health audit - developed with Defra funding. The service provides a detailed on-farm audit where our dairy specialist identifies and minimises key pressure points within a dairy farm and a detailed report with clear action points. Dairy Manager is a dairy costings scheme, now used by over 2,500 UK herds. Independent analysis services covering soil, silage, fresh grass, water and farm wastes.
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Milk Development Council
The Milk Development Council (MDC) was set up in 1994 (after the disbanding of the milk boards) to pick up essential services for dairy farmers that would not otherwise be provided. These services include the genetic evaluation of dairy breeding stock, research and development into better ways of producing milk, and the stimulation and development of the market for milk.
The MDC is funded entirely by milk producers, via a statutory levy on all milk sold off-farm, at the rate of 0.06p per litre. This provides an annual income of around £7m.
The MDC's current focus is on improving the profitability of dairy farming by focusing on three specific areas:
- Innovation and consumer education to stimulate demand and create more value in the dairy ‘category'
- Better supply chain relationships that ensure farmers as well as processors and retailers can enjoy a sustainable share of the profits
- Competitive milk production to help farmers realise better margins in the short term and increase their ability to compete in European markets in the long term.
The MDC co-funds the industry's nutritional and issues management resource - The Dairy Council - with the processors' trade body Dairy UK.
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National Sheep Association (NSA) 
This specialist organisation is dedicated to safeguarding the interests and future of sheep farmers throughout the UK.
Originally established in 1892.Today the organisation is recognised by many, including Government, as a first port of call for the provision of sound, practical, balanced views on sheep industry issues. This is equally the case in Defra, SEERAD, The Welsh Assembly and DARD.
Marketplace reform and political lobbying are the focal points of NSA work. Campaigning for a better understanding of the challenges facing grass root producers. Whether that be Government officials or others in the red meat chain, the need has never been greater than it is today.
To provide grass root opinion and information that will guide its policy, NSA seeks the views of members from throughout the UK via a structure of regional committees. NSA has members with specialist knowledge covering the areas of Environment and Conservation, Trade and Marketing, Health and Welfare and Genetics and Technology Transfer. Their knowledge is added to by experts from throughout the world of sheep farming and beyond. Their knowledge informs the Executive Board and ensures NSA policy is reflective and well considered. Individual NSA members can have their voice heard via these routes or direct into the Headquarters at Malvern.
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National Animal Disease Information Service ( NADIS )
NADIS was formed in 1995 to monitor disease trends in cattle sheep and pigs. The organisations aim is to improve livestock health and welfare through better disease control and prevention. The sentinel practice network currently consists of over 60 practices as well as 6 UK Vet colleges. Many of the key livestock practices in the UK are involved, and most reporting vets hold the RCVS certificate or diploma in farm animal production. Health and welfare data, along with anecdotal comments from the reporting vets are collected on a daily basis and loaded onto a central disease data base. Three methods of health monitoring are undertaken to provide a balanced view on livestock health:
- Monthly trend data collected from vet call outs along with anecdotal comments.
- Annual farm census data, monitoring the level of endemic disease and welfare.
- Detailed surveillance on a representative number of sentinel herds/flocks.
NADIS is currently carrying out several projects for the livestock industry involving health monitoring linked to Knowledge Transfer to farmers. These include for BPEX where 30% of English sow population are being monitored at quarterly assurance visits. A sheep and beef health initiative, using health monitoring on behalf of EBLEX, HCC & QMS. NADIS are also involved with 4 of the dairy and beef cattle projects which form part of the Defra HHP cattle initiative.
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National Farmers Union (NFU)
The NFU in the South West represents 10,000 farmer and grower members. The central objective of the NFU is to promote successful and responsible agriculture and horticulture, whilst ensuring the long term viability of rural communities. Animal Health and Welfare is a serious priority for the future of farming in the South West region, with recent animal disease outbreaks highlighting this. The consortium of stakeholders would provide a unique tool to support farmers in the South West with animal diseases, one of the most pressing issues facing agriculture in the future.
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The Dairy Group Ltd
The Dairy Group offers independent expertise in a wide range of subjects related to dairy animal welfare, including dairy husbandry, mastitis control, lameness prevention, nutrition, prevention and management of heat stress, cow comfort, dairy cow housing, cattle handling systems, milking technology, cattle breeding and dairy herd management. The Dairy Group works with 335 dairy businesses across the South West of England.
Consultants from The Dairy Group have considerable experience in improving dairy animal welfare:
- Very experienced in delivering Defra animal welfare campaigns over the years.
- Very experienced in delivering training and technology transfer to dairy farmers and technical personnel involved in the dairy industry.
- Provide technical consultancy to support Defra vets with specific farm situations relating to animal welfare
- A good practical understanding of dairy animal welfare issues.
- Regularly carry out on farm visits, both one to one and to farmer groups.
- A good understanding of the technology available to the dairy industry and the benefits that can be brought about to improve animal welfare, productivity and efficiency.
- MCi dairy management system provides detailed management information including herd health.
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University of Bristol Department of Clinical Veterinary Science
The Department of clinical veterinary science at Langford has a strong, cross-departmental, national and international research profile. It scored 5 out of 5 in the last RAE (2001) and since then has published over 1300 papers in peer-reviewed journals, spanning fundamental science publications in Nature to clinical advances published in profession journals. Animal Behaviour & Welfare is now a major University Research Theme and the department's Animal Behaviour & Welfare Group is the largest of its kind in the world, with a truly international reputation.
Within the division of farm animal science, research covers the identification and quantification of welfare problems and their causes, and the implementation of appropriate solutions (several of which have been translated into national/international initiatives). Key areas of health and welfare have been targeted including: mastitis in dairy cows, lameness in dairy cows, lameness in sheep, parasite control, pre-weaning piglet mortality, broiler chicken health and welfare and feather pecking in laying hens.
The Department is also committed to delivering high quality teaching. Teaching covers degree and post-graduate qualifications and established training courses on a range of clinical and husbandry related topics aimed at veterinary surgeons, non-veterinary advisory professionals and farmers.
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