High Welfare Veal Initiative
Outline Protocol
August’10
Dorset Veal Initiative
Exclusive veal initiative, with full Dorset provenance – born, reared,
slaughtered and processed
Calves reared on contracted strategic partner farm in Dorset – Fossil
Farm at Winfrith Newburgh, near Dorchester
Friesian/Holstein cross entirely from Marks & Spencer dairy pool.
Calves are born on three farms – Cobbs, Turners and Lower Castle
farms, all sited in Dorset
Slaughtered through strategic partners, either ABP at Sturminster
Newton, Dorset, or Laverstoke Park Farm at Overton, Hampshire
Carcases cut and processed at DB Foods, Poole, Dorset
Out of balance availability
Real pedigree of understanding of veal farming, production and
marketing by principal of DB Foods, David Bayer whom used to own
and run Quantock Veal
Dorset Veal Initiative
Calves transported to Fossil Farm from dairy farms between 2 and 5
days old (agreement with BCMS and Trading Standards to undertake
this prior to passport issue)
Calves reared in open outdoor covered pens with straw bedding
(changed daily) in two’s for the first 5 weeks
Pens expanded after 5 weeks to accommodate 6 calves and then after
8 weeks expanded to accommodate 12 calves. Straw bedding regime
is maintained for this duration
After 5 months, cattle moved to open straw bedded pens,
accommodating numbers between 30 and 40
Calves fed 2 litres of milk twice per day for first week of rearing, and
subsequently 3 litres of milk twice per day from 2 weeks to 7 weeks
Calves have access to calf starter pellets from commencement of
rearing up to 16 weeks
Thereafter, fed on home grown crimped grain maize with protein
balancers comprising soya and rape. Feed is available on an ad lib
basis with no restrictions including straw
Dorset Veal Initiative
Fresh water is changed daily
Calves are weighed on farm with a target minimum weight of 40kg
being required
Calves are blood tested for colostrums on arrival with a pass level of
5.2 being required. Calves are accepted at a mark level of 4.8 and will
be fed supplementary powdered colostrums, adding a cost to the calf
of between £15 and £20
Calves are also vaccinated on arrival for pneumonia and ringworm
Calves are not de-horned
Cattle are spot-weighed during the course of their lives ensuring a
further check on well-being
Cattle are reared to a finished live weight target of 250kg
Cattle are slaughtered between 6.5 and 7 months