Located on the grounds of the Western Farming Co-op in Lognamuck, Balla, Co Mayo, Farm Vets Balla is a new veterinary practice offering a full range of large animal veterinary services, including round-the-clock routine and emergency care to support farmers.

The practice is independently owned and operated by Shane Mc Carvill, a well-known and experienced veterinary surgeon in the county.

Dedicated exclusively to farm animals, cattle, sheep, horses and donkeys, Farm Vets Balla provides essential services such as herd health planning, TB testing and both routine and emergency care.

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Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, McCarvill said, "Farm Vets Balla arises from a very real and growing need for accessible, independent veterinary support for farmers."

Farm animals

He added: “We’re exclusively focused on farm animals. That allows us to give 100% of our attention to the specific challenges and needs of farmers. Our motto is simple – by farmers, for farmers.

“I’ve seen firsthand how important timely, reliable veterinary care is for farmers, especially in rural areas such as County Mayo.

“Across rural Ireland, we’re facing a growing shortage of farm animal vets and increasing challenges in filling those positions.

"Farm Vets Balla is committed to supporting the local farming community by providing high-quality, accessible care for their animals.”

Conveniently located on the N60, the main road between Castlebar and Claremorris, the practice is open Monday to Saturday, with routine and emergency call-out services available 24/7, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

The practice’s office is 10 minutes from Castlebar and 15 minutes from Claremorris and will serve the surrounding areas.

Veterinary council accreditation

McCarvill said Farm Vets Balla has recently received official accreditation and approval from the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), the statutory body responsible for the regulation and management of the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing.

This approval followed a comprehensive inspection, confirming that the practice meets all required professional, ethical and operational standards.

The VCI’s principal function is to safeguard animal health and welfare and veterinary public health in Ireland.

The practice’s launch comes in the wake of the VCI’s Veterinary Workforce Report, released in May, which highlights growing pressures across the sector.

Key concerns include recruitment and retention difficulties in rural areas, limited out-of-hours emergency cover, and challenges around work-life balance.

The report found that the veterinary register has grown by 30% since 2004, yet rural areas face shortages of large-animal practitioners, essential for Ireland's agricultural sector.

The report also found that an increasing demand for companion animal care (small animal practice) is leading to a shortage of large animal care practitioners and demand for veterinary services is expected to grow by an average of 3.37% each year to 2033.

The VCI said the report further highlights that work conditions and progression opportunities need to be addressed, improved and supported, to ensure more recently qualified or younger graduates are attracted and retained in veterinary services to continue to meet the “demanding challenges” of veterinary practice, food safety, and public health initiatives.

For further information, farmers can contact Farm Vets Balla on 086-067 2121. Farm Vets Balla is located at F23RW01.