Farmers invited to free weanling health events at marts nationwide
A series of weanling advice events titled 'Weanling Ready: Worth Their Weight in Gold’ is set to kick off at marts around the country this week.
The events are free to attend and are being hosted by Animal Health Ireland (AHI). All farmers are welcome to attend.
The events aim to offer suckler farmers practical tips and advice on preparing healthy weanlings for sale or retention on farm this autumn.
The four events will all kick off at 7:30p.m at the following locations and dates:
- Tuesday, July 28: Elphin Co-Operative Livestock Mart, Co. Roscommon;
- Wednesday, July 29: Carnaross Mart, Co. Meath;
- Tuesday, August 4: Gortatlea Mart, Co. Kerry;
- Wednesday, August 5: Clare Marts, Ennis, Co. Clare.
According to AHI, the series of events "aim to build on the success of last year's inaugural events".
What to expect
AHI programme managers, together with local veterinary practitioners, will discuss practical, evidence-based approaches on best practice when managing cows and calves during the critical weaning period.
The events are designed to support both farmers selling weanlings and those retaining calves for further breeding or finishing.
Topics will focus on preventing pneumonia and the important role of timely vaccination around preparing calves for sale and housing.
Farmers will also receive practical advice on the importance of knowing calf weights for accurate dosing; calibrating dosing equipment; parasite control and dung sampling; pre-housing health checks; recognising the early signs of disease; and practical steps to minimise stress around weaning and sales.
Farmers will also have the opportunity to get any questions they may have relating to weanling health answered at the events.
Speaking ahead of the series, programme manager of AHI Beef HealthCheck, Dr. Natascha Meunier said: "Preparing calves for weaning and prioritising their health is one of the best investments a farmer can make.
"Pneumonia remains one of the biggest health challenges facing weanlings around the time of weaning, sale, and housing but much of that risk can be reduced through good planning."
"Vaccination, carried out at the right time and as part of a herd health plan developed with your vet, together with minimising stress at weaning, can make a significant difference to calf health and performance.
"Weanlings are a valuable commodity for beef farmers and are a cornerstone of the entire beef industry, be they for breeding, sale, finishing or export.
"Therefore, taking a proactive and strategic approach to their health is the best investment a suckler farmer can make.”
The events are supported by AIB, and speakers from AIB will also be on hand at each of the events.
