“It makes our calves more resilient”

How UMBIREZ is helping give dairy calves the best start in life
  • Farmer: Jess White
  • Farm Name: New Buildings Farm
  • Production system: Dairy
  • Calving: ~ 250 Holstein-Friesians
  • Located: England, United Kingdom

“We’ve seen calves getting up and drinking a lot quicker, I genuinely believe it makes our calves more resilient”
– Jess, New Buildings Farm

New Buildings Farm’s Transition to UMBIREZ

New Buildings Farm, a dairy operation in the UK, had long followed traditional navel-care routines for newborn calves. As the farm expanded, and moved from all year-round calving to block calving: calf numbers increased, and the team began searching for a product that could improve hygiene, reduce infection risk, and streamline early-life calf care. This led the farm team to introduce UMBIREZ into their calf management protocol.

Why the Farm Chose UMBIREZ

Jess explained that the decision to switch was driven by two priorities:
  • Improving calf health outcomes, especially around navel cleanliness and management procedures
  • Reducing labor and handling time, particularly during busy calving periods
The farm wanted a product that was reliable, easy-to-use, and capable of delivering consistent results across large groups of calves.

On-Farm Experience: Immediate Improvements

After implementing UMBIREZ, Jess reported clear and measurable benefits:
  • Cleaner, More Hygienic Navels
    The product created a strong, protective seal that supported better navel health from the start. This was especially important in a dairy environment where calves are moved and handled frequently in the first hours of life.
  • Consistent, Even Coverage
    Jessica highlighted how easy the product was to apply. The dip coated the entire navel evenly, reducing the risk of missed spots and ensuring every calf received the same level of protection.
  • Faster, More Efficient Workflow
    With UMBIREZ, the team noticed a smoother routine during calf processing. The product’s quick-acting formula meant less waiting, less mess, and less time spent rechecking or re-dipping navels.
  • A Better Fit for High-Volume Calving
    As the farm grew, efficiency became essential. Jessica noted that UMBIREZ integrated seamlessly into their system, supporting a more streamlined, dependable newborn-care protocol.
  • A Strong Start for Calves
    The farm team reported that their calves are more resilient, often seen up and sucking faster, and looking brighter since making the change. Supported by strong daily liveweight gains in the first four weeks. The farm team believe this is due to faster-drying navels reducing risk of infection and heat loss.

A Confident, Long-Term Switch

When we followed up with Jess after Spring calving, she made it clear that UMBIREZ exceeded the team’s expectations and improved their navel-care outcomes. The farm saw:
  • Cleaner, healthier navels
  • Reduced infection concerns
  • A more efficient calving workflow
  • A product that matched the pace and demands of a modern dairy unit
Her experience reflects a confident transition — one that the farm intends to continue.

“If another farmer asked me if they should use UMBIREZ, I’d say definitely yes. I’ve seen the benefits it’s had for other farmers as well as myself. It’s been tried and tested by enough of us now to prove it’s making a difference”

Conclusion: UMBIREZ Delivered Exactly What Was Promised

Across New Buildings Farm’s experience, UMBIREZ provided:
  • Reliable, even coverage
  • A strong, protective navel seal
  • Improved hygiene and reduced infection risk by protecting from the environment
  • Faster, cleaner, more efficient newborn processing

Most importantly, UMBIREZ delivered exactly what the company claimed: a high-performance navel-care solution that supports healthier youngstock and a smoother, more efficient workflow for busy farms.

Hear more from Jess about her experiences using UMBIREZ: