Free farmer health checks will be available at the Teagasc Moorepark Dairy Open Day on Wednesday, July 2.

This initiative continues the 2024 Irish Farmers' Association's (IFA) farmer health check programme, aimed at promoting farmer wellbeing through practical, on-the-ground support.

The IFA is working in partnership with Teagasc and Croí, the West of Ireland Heart and Stroke Foundation, to deliver these health checks at the upcoming open day.

The checks include blood pressure monitoring, pulse and rhythm screening, BMI assessments, and lifestyle advice, delivered by the nursing team from Croí.

IFA farm family and social affairs chairperson Teresa Roche said that the health of farmers is "just as critical as the productivity of their land and livestock".

"These checks are quick, confidential and could be life-saving," Roche said.

Professor Laurence Shalloo, head of the Teagasc animal and grassland research programme, highlighted the importance of integrating health awareness into farming life.

“Farming is a high-pressure occupation that often involves long hours and physical strain," he said.

"By offering health checks at Moorepark, we’re helping to break down the barriers to preventive care."

He encouraged farmers to stop by the health stand on the day, located in the Working Effectively Village.

The health checks will be available on-site at the open day in Fermoy, Co. Cork, with no appointment necessary.

The theme of this year's Moorepark open day is ‘Innovating for the Future’.

The event will showcase current and emerging technologies and practices designed to empower farmers to increase their economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

Demonstrations on grazing management, low emission slurry spreading, white clover swards, farm infrastructure, and much more will take place throughout the day.

Workshops will take place around cost control and growth opportunities for dairy farm businesses from a national and international perspective, as well as on milk quality.