The Successful Animal Health Ireland (AHI), in conjunction with Teagasc’s DairyBeef500 Programme, CalfCare events will take place this December and January, with 16 events planned across the country.

AHI is encouraging all farmers who are involved in calf rearing to attend one of the events near them to ensure their calves are healthy and, ultimately, profitable.

Over the seven weeks, AHI, in collaboration with Teagasc’s DairyBeef500 Programme, and supported by Feed For Growth/Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited, will hold the renowned CalfCare Events series over the length of the country from Kerry to Donegal.

The return of these roadshows for the 15th year is due to the valuable information they disseminate each year and the hunger from farmers for relevant transferable advice.

Farmers see first-hand how good calf management leads to healthier, more profitable herds.

This year’s theme, 'Healthy Calves, Your Profitable Future', highlights the direct link between calf health, animal welfare, and farm profitability.

The 2025/2026 event series will demonstrate how the steps taken from the birth of the calf, and continued through weaning and in its first year of life, will lay the foundation for a strong, productive herd.

Why attend the CalfCare events?

Every farmer strives to raise healthy and profitable calves, the purpose of these events is for farmers to see best practice calf rearing at farm level and hopefully improve on what they are already doing.

The events are renowned for their practical, science-based insights.

Farmers gain knowledge that can be applied immediately to improve calf performance, and long-term farm profitability.

Dr. Michelle McGrath from AHI said: “The 2026 CalfCare Roadshow offers farmers the chance to see best practice in calf management on working farms.”

Topics that will be covered at these events include:

Nutrition, housing, and health management strategies that directly affect calf development and performance;
How early intervention and attention to detail can reduce disease risk, improve survival, and enhance long-term productivity;
Practical, science-backed advice suitable for both dairy and beef systems.

Dr. McGrath said: “The health and wellbeing of the calf is critical to rearing a quality calf, be that for sale or for entering into your own herd.

"Taking the important steps outlined at the AHI CalfCare events will help ensure that calves are healthy and well-reared, so they are profitable for farmers.”

Collaboration across the sector for both dairy and beef farmers

The CalfCare series is a collaborative venture between Animal Health Ireland and Teagasc’s DairyBeef500 Programme and is supported by Feed For Growth/Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited.

Alan Dillon, DairyBeef500 programme manager at Teagasc, noted that: “Whether it’s dairy or dairy-beef calves, it’s vital to reinforce the importance of excellent calf management for both dairy and beef systems.

"Following the strong engagement with last year’s events, continued collaboration across sectors will deliver real on-farm benefits."

Volac Milk Replacers Ireland / Feed For Growth sales manager Úna Hickey views the events as a hugely beneficial initiative from AHI.

She stated: “Our long association with these roadshows is because of the value we see in them.

"The events also give farmers an opportunity to have a rethink and get it right from the start, so they come through the 2026 season with healthier calves and a more profitable future.”

Plan your visit

With no less than 16 events nationwide, running from Monday, December 8, 2025 to Thursday, January 22, 2026, there is an opportunity for farmers in every region to see best-practice calf rearing in action.