The inaugural Buiatrics Summer School concluded on 12 July after an intensive week of learning, networking and practical experience for 12 young veterinarians from 12 different countries. Hosted in Brescia, Italy, the programme combined lectures and field visits covering key aspects of modern bovine practice, including reproduction, mastitis and milk quality, calf management, animal welfare, antimicrobial stewardship, dairy nutrition, data analysis and the management of robotic milking systems. Participants also explored dairy production systems ranging from traditional pasture-based farming to high-output commercial operations.
A week dedicated to bovine practice
The practical component included visits to a Grana Padano dairy, a robotic dairy farm, a large high-production dairy unit and an alpine pasture system in Valle Camonica, where participants learned about the production of the region’s traditional PDO Silter cheese. Beyond the technical programme, the group had the opportunity to discover the local culture through visits to Brescia, Padernello Castle and the Majolini winery in the Franciacorta region.
Building a European network
'A key objective of the Summer School was to bring together young practitioners from across Europe and encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences,' explains Giovanni Guadagnini, Italian practitioner and board member of the Union of European Veterinary Practitioners (UEVP). Organisers highlighted the creation of a supportive and open-minded network of colleagues as one of the programme’s greatest achievements, helping participants develop lasting professional connections that will continue beyond the event.
The Summer School opened on 5 July with the participation of FVE President Siegfried Moder and UEVP President Volker Moser, who discussed the role of veterinary practitioners in modern farming and the future of veterinary services in Europe. The Buiatrics summer school was organised by Ordine dei Medici Veterinari della Provincia di Brescia and Fondazione Iniziative Zooprofilattiche e Zootecniche, with support from FNOVI and UEVP.