GB Calf Strategy 2025–2030

Following the success of the GB Dairy Calf Strategy 2020–2023, the new 2025–2030 strategy aims to ensure every calf in Great Britain has the right genetics, start and pathway for a sustainable, high-welfare beef and dairy industry.

The British cattle industry is building on a decade of progress in dairy-beef production, with dairy-beef calf registrations up 74%, and dairy-beef making up 37% of prime beef supply in 2024.

The GB Dairy Calf Strategy 2020–2023 delivered great progress and laid strong foundations for the development of this next chapter.

The GB Calf Strategy 2025–2030 aims to ensure that every calf is reared with care and purpose, whether in the dairy or beef supply chain, and focuses on three themes.

Breeding the Right Calf fit for purpose from the start.

Calves from dairy cows should be bred with a clear market purpose; as dairy replacements or for beef, supported by improved genetic advice, and greater data transparency.

The strategy aims to empower the industry to develop tools and provide support that ensures every calf is bred with purpose.

Ensuring all calves receive the Right Start.

This pillar focuses on stockmanship, health and welfare for all calves.

The strategy seeks to guide the industry towards professionalised calf rearing, promoting the use of performance feedback to inform decisions.

Every calf has access to the Right Route to market, whether that is through an integrated scheme, direct sale or an auction market.

The strategy positions calf rearing as a viable business opportunity for the dairy and beef farmer.

Data sharing along the supply chain presents an opportunity to improve collaboration for long-term sustainability and reputational security across the industry.

The strategy is being coordinated by AHDB, the NFU and Innovation for Agriculture, with cross-industry collaboration between farmers, vets, processors, retailers and industry bodies.

Our expert genetics team at AHDB are leading the Right Calf pillar of the strategy.