Calf Rearer of the Year

Cornwall-based producer Andrea Semmens was presented with the inaugural Calf Rearer of the Year award at this year’s National Youngstock Conference, held at Sandy Park in Exeter, in July.

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The award, sponsored by conference organisers CowManagement and Wynnstay, recognises calf rearers for their dedication to the application of calf-rearing best practice.

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Andrea is responsible for calf rearing at Raftra Farm, in St Levan, and, since joining her husband to farm full-time after a successful career as an analytical chemist, she has overhauled the family unit’s calf-rearing protocols with huge success in the space of just two years.

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As head calf rearer, she manages the heifers that are retained as replacements for the business’s 225-cow Holstein Friesian herd. She also rears beef calves produced from cows that are served with British Blue semen or put to the unit’s Hereford bull.

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Working with the herd’s vet, she identified key priorities for improvements and was quick to address the most pressing issues, and longer-term challenges.

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Andrea’s entry stood out for myriad reasons, and the judges were unanimous in their decision to award her with this year’s top prize of £250.

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The judges were particularly impressed by her ‘roots up’ approach to reviewing processes on farm, which involved vet and nutritionist expertise, as well as implementing clear and measurable actions, seeking out funding to support any upgrades and improvements to facilities, and her exploration of public engagement.

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Andres said she was thrilled to be named CowManagement’s Calf Rearer of the Year. “I am shocked because you don’t expect to be nominated, let alone win,” she said. “We have achieved a lot in a short space of time, and it feels great to win and for our success to be recognised.

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“I’m really proud of what has been achieved. There was a lot to take home from the conference and to share with the team – including this award.”