Youngstock Management, Thursday 26th November 2026

(with a focus on good housing design, and nutrition)

The essentials

10:00 to 17:00 online training

7 hours CPD; limited to 8 delegates.

£300 + VAT.

Trainer: Owen Atkinson BVSc DCHP FRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Cattle Health and Production

“Owen has a brilliant skill of including everything you need but without the waffle” SH

“Great mix of theory and practice; loved the case studies” KI

“Liked the speed/pace at which content was delivered. I also liked the discussion-based learning with clear explanations; lots of applicable knowledge; the use of varied case studies; and good ideas I can discuss with farmers.” KC

What is covered?

This one-day training is suitable for vets/ advisers who want to improve their knowledge and confidence around youngstock management, with a focus on dairy systems and good housing design. Nutritional aspects of youngstock health are also considered.

This workshop will include:

  • The six youngstock phases from calf to calving.
  • Environmental requirements.
  • Making environmental assessments – calculations, measurements and key performance indicators.
  • Stack effect and making calculations (inlet and outlet areas).
  • Examples of calf housing solutions – there’s a lot of potential options; which ones work? Pitfalls to avoid.
  • Understanding dietary influences on youngstock health.
  • Colostrum management – including the oft-ignored principle of Apparent Efficiency of Absorption (which is not one of the “Qs” and which may well challenge your current thinking!)
  • Rumen development and weaning strategies.
  • Exploring the pamper pen and cuddle box concepts.
  • Practical problem solving and low-cost solutions, using case studies.

At the end of this workshop you will have gained knowledge and greater understanding on youngstock management, how to investigate problems, and how to suggest practical solutions for better housing. You will have skills and confidence to improve the advice you can give to dairy farmers.

Slides, checklists and notes will be available for you to use in practice.

How to book

Please follow the registration button below or email owen@dairyveterinaryconsultancy.co.uk to reserve your place.

Register for Course

An invoice will be issued ahead of the training.

Cancellation policy

  1. We ask that course fees are paid in advance. If for any reason a course is not run, then the registration fee will be refunded in full. Other expenses incurred (such as pre-booked travel expenses) are excluded.
  2. Cancellations by delegates must be made in writing (email). A cancellation fee of 25% of the total registration fee will be made for cancellations up to 14 days before the course. Refunds will not normally be made for cancellations within 14 days of the course.
  3. Delegates may substitute another person in place of themselves for a course but they must notify DVC of the name of the replacement delegate in advance of the training date.
  4. Please ensure that DVC is notified of any changes in contact details. We ask this in case we need to contact you with course changes. Please ensure your email settings allow our emails to you.