Workshop on animal welfare

Farmers are expected to flock to Reaseheath College, Nantwich, for a daytime workshop focused on animal welfare and improved profit.

The event, which includes a farm walk, is on Tuesday, February 26, and is the latest of a busy schedule of free events being run for members of the farming community by Reaseheath's agricultural department.

Leading livestock health experts John Hughes and Ken Fallows will suggest ways of tackling the costly problem of pneumonia and illustrate the importance of good ventilation during a tour of the college's farm buildings.

John Hughes, veterinary advisor to Liverpool University's School of Veterinary Medicine and one of the UK's foremost experts in livestock housing design, will describe the health benefits and potential problems commonly associated with livestock housing.

The farm walk will take in the Genus MOET cattle sheds, the beef unit, sheep sheds, poly tunnels and the piggery, all of which are on the college campus. Reasheath is currently spending over £2.5 million on upgrading its farm and visitors can take the opportunity to compare old and new housing systems.

Two differing types of ventilation - forced, which uses mechanical fans and ducts, and ambient, which relies on building design - will be discussed.

Ken Fallows, business development manager of Shearing-Plough Animal Health, sponsors of the event, will give a presentation on the treatment, prevention and cure of pneumonia.

Group numbers will be limited to about 40 and places must be booked in advance.

* To register your interest please call Tim Goldsbrough on 01270 628621 or email timg@reaseheath.ac.uk