Cornish livestock farmers are invited to attend an exciting and informative farm open day on Thursday July 19 focussed on the strength of the chain in integrated beef systems.

Organized by Buitelaar, which has received nationally recognition for its award-winning beef supply chain, the meeting takes place at Dannett Farm, Quethlock, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 by kind invitation of the Renfree family.

The Renfrees’ operate a mixed farming enterprise that includes a beef, sheep and arable operation. On the beef side of the business, they finish some 500 black and white bulls annually for Buitelaar, and have recently introduced the Morrison’s Dairy Beef supply chain to their farming enterprise.

Speakers include –

• Adam Buitelaar – Adam will be speaking about the Buitelaar business and its award- winning beef supply chain. Adam is the fifth generation of the family to be involved in the industry. In 2009, he identified an issue that there were many male calves being put down due to lack of markets and inefficient farming methods. Adam says “Apart from being an animal welfare disgrace, this seemed to be such a waste, so we devised a sustainable model to produce beef with great consistency and eating quality form these calves. We now have an integrated supply chain which allows the product to be monitored at every stage, and from starting off in 2009,we have progressed from processing 35 young male calves per week to processing 40,000 head of beef and dairy calves per annum through our five national collection centres."

• Jim Holden of Woodhead’s/Morrison’s. Jim will be explaining how the Morrison’s Dairy Beef Supply Chain operates, the benefits it brings to farmers, and how farmers can get involved with this exciting and profitable operation.

• Johnny Wells West (Dechra) Johnny will discuss the company’s range of products, and how they help to reduce antibiotic use, and improve the performance of beef animals in an intensive system. Johnny will show the benefits the Renfrees are experiencing by the use of these products on- farm.

• Stephen Renfree will be discussing how the supply chain operates on their family farm, the results which are being achieved, plus the reasons why the family has decided to go down the integrated supply chain route.

The meeting commences at 10.45am and will finish at 3pm. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. To reserve a place please contact Gareth Scott on 07487 301621.