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In the world of UK agriculture, there is a significant gap between what works in a laboratory and what works in a drafty barn at 4:00 AM. For years, the industry has relied on “marketing claims” and anecdotal evidence. But at Buitelaar, we believe that the only way to drive true progress is to bridge the gap between science and the shed.
This is why Long Lane Development Farm exists. It is not just a research facility, and it is not just a commercial unit. It is the UK’s largest calf-rearing innovation hub, where every protocol is Tried, Tested, and Trusted.
Industry sources estimate calf mortality from birth to four months at 8% (AHDB) and as high as 13% (NADIS). In any other business, a 12% loss of raw material would be considered a crisis. At Long Lane, we decided to change the narrative.
Since acquiring the Somerset site in 2019, we have seen survival rates stand at 98% for the 8,000 calves reared annually. This isn’t down to luck or “secret” ingredients; it is the result of turning a commercial enterprise into a controlled platform for research and development.
As Adam Buitelaar, often says: “We do not trade in opinions here; it is evidence-based facts that drive every decision.” Long Lane exists because we needed a place where we could isolate variables. Currently, the site features seven different shed designs. In a UK-unique approach, we trial these designs using the exact same staff, feed, and genetics. This isolates the environment as the only variable.
The result? Calves in our newest High Health Units (HHU) grew 187g/day faster than those in original designs. That is an extra 16kg of liveweight over 12 weeks with no additional feed – purely from superior air quality and environment.
Long Lane is home to a dedicated Research & Development committee, including vets from Synergy Farm Health, animal nutrition experts from Duffields, and our own data specialists. Together, we have conducted over 10 feed trials and ground-breaking health studies, including:
♦ Pneumonia Vaccination Trials: Testing 1,500 calves to prove a £40–£50/head benefit at slaughter.
♦ Lung Scanning: Identifying undetectable lesions on arrival to allow for early treatment and reduced medication use.
♦ World-First Innovation: Developing the 42-day ImmunIGY test to certify calf colostrum intake, providing total transparency between dairy and beef farmers.
While Long Lane is a hub of innovation, it remains a working commercial unit. The 8,000 calves reared here annually are the “proof of concept” for our entire network. When we tell a B&B partner that a protocol works, or an HHU buyer that a shed will pay for itself, it’s because we have already done the hard work at Long Lane.
We don’t keep our results behind closed doors. Whether it’s scrupulous twice-daily cleaning protocols or precise vaccination schedules (Day 3, Day 21, Day 42), our goal is to share this research legacy to help the UK beef industry thrive.
Long Lane Development Farm: Tried. Tested. Trusted.
Want to see the data for yourself? We regularly host Visit Days for dairy farmers, rearers, and industry professionals. Join us to see how real-farm needs are building the next generation of UK beef.
