The crème de la crème at CityU dairy farm
By : Michael Gibb
Very soon, students training to be vets at CityU will be, quite literally, getting their hands dirty down at the new CityU farm.
High-quality CityU milk and ice cream can be expected within next year.Aiming to be the most advanced of its kind in the region, the farm will be fully compliant with the Hong Kong government’s rigorous health, hygiene, environmental and animal welfare regulations, and a landmark achievement in promoting One Health and veterinary medicine in Hong Kong.
“This site will be where our Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine [BVM] students get to learn about the practicalities of animal husbandry and farm management as well as the clinical aspects of taking care of dairy cows,” explains Dr Howard Wong Kai-hay, Director (Development for Veterinary Medicine) at the CityU Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences.
“They will also get a taste of their profession, accompanying production animal vets as they do their rounds on site,” he adds.
Sustainable food (especially milk and ice cream)
The farm, which will occupy a site of around one hectare in Lam Tsuen near Tai Po, has been especially designed to accommodate the Jersey cows that will arrive once the building work for the farm has been completed.
“Jersey cows were chosen because, compared to black and white Friesians, they are more tolerant of hot weather and because their milk is high quality,” says Dr Wong, who practiced as a vet in Hong Kong for 16 years prior to joining the nascent school of veterinary medicine at CityU. He completed his training at the University of Cambridge.
And the cows’ produce will not be wasted. CityU plans to supply around 500 litres of nutritious milk daily and an as-yet-unknown quantity of delicious ice cream very soon after the farm is running.
“Of course, 500 litres won’t be enough for the local Hong Kong market but it will be fine for selling on campus,” says Dr Wong. “The point is, this milk will be locally produced, unlike milk sold in Hong Kong shops today. By producing and pasteurising our own milk, we communicate the message that food production in Hong Kong can be more sustainable. We want the farm to showcase and encourage sustainable practices for food.”
In demand jobs
The Jerseys will arrive in Hong Kong already pregnant, and their calves will be reared on site for milk production. A manager will handle artificial insemination at the farm, controlling for female offspring. Altogether, the farm will accommodate up to 60 adult cows and calves.
In terms of professional development, the farm will train students interested in specialising in production animals. The key elements in such training focus on preventative and curative medicine for cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, as well as vaccinating, treating the sick, and consulting on management practices and nutrition issues. In fact, there’s currently a global shortage of vets with these skills. Concerns over food safety world-wide mean that vets qualified to work with larger animals within the food industries are in demand.
“The job of a production animal vet is tougher compared to vets who operate in smaller practices for companion animals, for example. You might need to wake up in the middle of the night to deal with a sick pregnant sow and you must endure, and perhaps enjoy, the mud and inclement weather!” Dr Wong says.
A farm in the city
Our BVM students can undertake training at several locations in Hong Kong, including Ocean Park, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the stables under the management of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, plus of course local livestock farms and the seas around us. The options are many. However, the farm will be the premier spot for training a new generation of vets.
“Our farm will play a vital role in making CityU a world-class hub for veterinary medicine,” Dr Wong says.
And the ice cream will be much appreciated in the sizzling Hong Kong summers.
