Calf Research & Innovation Facility

At around 20% of production costs after feeding, raising heifer calves is the largest annual expense for British dairy farmers. Supporting the sustainable and profitable future of British dairy and beef farming, our Calf Research and Innovation Facility is focussed on improving calf growth, health and welfare for increased resilience, yields and longevity of our national dairy and beef herds.

Pioneering early-stage calf health and care to optimise lifetime productivity

Preventable loss and improved health

Based on Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) 252–hectare Crichton Royal Farm in Dumfries, the Facility’s key technology provision, combined with SRUC’s analytical expertise and 600+ cows including the award-winning 200-head Langhill dairy herd, provide unique research and development opportunities for dairy farmers, feed manufacturers, milk processors, retailers, pharmaceutical and technology companies. Areas of research include:

Feed trials
Microbiome
Growth performance
Nutrient digestibility
Blood biochemical indices
Rumen development

Researchers have access to comprehensive in-depth data of calf activity, development and health, via a combination of animal-mounted sensors, automated ‘weigh cells’ and feeding stations that measure weight gain, forage, milk, concentrates and water intake.

Agri-EPI Calf Research & Innovation Facility - Crichton Royal Farm

“More than half of calves on UK farms suffer from disease before weaning…”

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

Agri-EPI Calf Research & Innovation Facility Brochure WEB

Brochure Calf Research & Innovation Facility

If you are interested in a research and development project at the Calf Research and Innovation Facility, why not download the product brochure to have all the information in one place.

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Detecting the early signs of calf distress and disease

With nutritional energy used to maintain normal body functions, keep warm and fight disease, a calf’s remaining energy feeds its growth. It is, therefore, crucial to better understand nutrition, social needs and spot early signs of sickness, including pneumonia and Cryptosporidiosis, one of the most common causes of calf scour.

The Centre’s highly accurate daily data collection provides an invaluable early warning system, thereby improving health and reducing antibiotic use and costs; measurably improving an animal’s lifetime health and productivity.

Calf Research Solutions

If you are interested in a research and development project at the Calf Research and Innovation Facility, or any aspect of our agri-research, development and UK-wide facilities, we’ll be delighted to talk to you.

“…Even mild disease takes energy away from growth and can limit the animals’ lifetime potentials.”

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

A leading partnership

The Calf Research & Innovation Facility is established in close partnership with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to facilitate the measurement and management of key elements in calf rearing to optimise lifelong productivity.

WELL-CALF

A precision agricultural solution

Currently underway at the Calf Research and Innovation Facility and in partnership with SRUC, the WELL-CALF project is seeking to improve health and productivity of animals across the dairy-beef sector.

The project is developing the first precision agriculture integrated monitoring system specifically designed for early disease or health issue detection in calves from seven days to sixteen weeks old; making the individual treatment and management of animals a simple and accessible reality for dairy and beef farmers.

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Precision Agricultural solution Well-Calf seeks to boost dairy-beef production

Calf Research Solutions

Calf Research at Crichton Royal Farm

Calving takes place throughout the year at SRUC’s Crichton Royal Farm. Any calf born, female or male, will be placed in the calf rearing facility, as future research at the facility also aims to assess nutritional strategies to make more male calves suitable for the beef supply chain.

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Call Us: 0131 239 7100

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Monday – Friday | 8:30am – 5:00pm

Saturday | Closed

Sunday | Closed

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Phone: 0131 239 7100

Agri-EPI Centre
Easter Bush
Roslin EH25 9RG

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Registered office: Agri-EPI Centre Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub, Poultry Lane, Edgmond Newport, England, TF10 8JZ
Company Reg. Number: 09922991
VAT Number: 240019456 (UK)

Calf Research & Innovation Facility

Pioneering early-stage calf health and care to optimise lifetime productivity

Preventable loss and improved health

“More than half of calves on UK farms suffer from disease before weaning…”

Brochure Calf Research & Innovation Facility

Detecting the early signs of calf distress and disease

Calf Research Solutions

“…Even mild disease takes energy away from growth and can limit the animals’ lifetime potentials.”

A leading partnership

WELL-CALF

Calf Research Solutions

Calf Research at Crichton Royal Farm

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