Submitted by J. Hudson on Fri, 13/06/2025 - 17:03
We were delighted to welcome His Excellency Juan Ernesto Snead, Paraguayan Ambassador to the UK, to the University Farm today. He was accompanied by his wife, Gloria Snead, Honorary Consul for Trade between
Paraguay and the UK, along with William Turner, COO of LEIFF Nature Capital Solutions Ltd, Dr Belinda Clarke OBE, Director of Agri-TechE, and farming business consultants Charles Whitaker and Greg Beeton from Brown & Co.
The delegation was hosted by Farm Manager Paul Kelly and Professor Ian McCrone, Professor of Farm Animal Health and Production from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge.
Their visit included a tour of the dairy sheds, where they met some of our 213 milking cows and explored the cutting-edge technology that supports sustainable, high-welfare farming. From robotic milking systems and precision livestock management tools to an on-site anaerobic digester that reuses slurry to generate up to two-thirds of the farm’s electricity needs, the tour showcased how modern farming methods are making a real difference. These approaches are already delivering impressive results - the farm has reduced its carbon footprint by nearly a third over the past three years.
Throughout the visit, there was a strong focus on animal health, sustainability, and hands-on education. Our guests saw first-hand how the University Farm provides an exceptional learning environment for our Veterinary Medicine students, the only working dairy farm in Cambridge. It’s a unique resource where students gain invaluable practical experience in a real farm setting.
We are proud to share our commitment to responsible, forward-thinking farming with such distinguished visitors, and to demonstrate how education, research, and sustainability come together every day on our farm.