CEVEC – Cost Effective Ventilated Environment for Calves

Calves from dairy herds are the foundation animals for both dairy farms and for the dairy-beef industry. However, there are several major health and welfare issues suffered by these calves. Pneumonia is a major problem for young calves, with an estimated 11% of all calves suffering from this problem.

A case of pneumonia causes distress and ill health in the affected animal, but also has wider consequences including long-term adverse effects on growth, health, and fertility in that animal, and over-use of antimicrobial drugs. Poor ventilation and air quality in calf housing is known to be a major factor that increases rates of pneumonia.

To address this challenge, **CEVEC** will design and deliver a **LOW-COST** purpose-built calf rearing building, with **REAL-TIME** monitoring, and **AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL** to ensure high health, welfare, and productivity of calves, whilst reducing labour costs associated with calf management.

The **AMBITION** of CEVEC is to provide clear evidence that investing in a purpose-built calf rearing building brings profitable returns to the farmer. The **KEY OBJECTIVES** of CEVEC:

1. Design a low-cost building specifically for calves using novel housing design and ventilation technology with embedded monitoring systems and automated control to ensure optimum environmental conditions and air quality.

2. Design the data acquisition, monitoring, and automated control system to deliver a consistent optimal calf environment.

3. Install the CEVEC building on a commercial farm in South-West (SW) Scotland and assess the impacts on calf health, productivity, labour use and associated running costs.

4. Conduct a robust commercial trial to assess and compare calf health and productivity outcomes of CEVEC and current sub-optimal housing.

5. Conduct a full cost-benefit analysis of CEVEC and develop a robust commercialisation strategy -- detailing the business/operating model, marketing plan, and pricing/service model.

6. Develop and deliver a joint communications and dissemination plan using a range of Knowledge Exchange (KE) processes (open days in the South and West and Cumbria region, mixed media platforms and scientific outputs).

The project will develop the first purpose-built, low-cost, automatic controlled environment, designed specifically for calves.