Ahead of the busy weanling sales season, Animal Health Ireland (AHI) will hold four mart-based health events to help suckler farmers prepare healthy thriving weanlings for sale or for retention on farm.

The 'Weanling ready: worth their weight in gold' series will take place in Elphin Mart on 28 July, Carnaross Mart on 29 July, Gortatlea Mart on 4 August and Ennis Mart on 5 August.

Each event will begin at 7.30pm and admission is free.

ADVERTISEMENT

AHI programme managers and local veterinary practitioners will provide practical evidence-based advise on managing cows and calves during the critical weaning period.

Speakers from AIB, which is supporting the event, will also be in attendance.

Topics

Topics will focus on preventing pneumonia and the importance of timely vaccination around preparing calves for sale and housing.

Farmers will also receive practical advice on weighing calves for accurate dosing, calibrating dosing equipment, parasite control and dung sampling, pre-housing health checks, recognising disease early and practical steps to minimise stress around weaning and sales.

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

“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.”

She added that vaccinating at the right time and 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,” she said.

Head of the agri sector in AIB Donal Whelton said the events would provide practical advice to farmers to help protect their investment in producing high-quality livestock.

“Supporting initiatives that improve farm performance and the long-term sustainability of Irish farming aligns strongly with AIB’s commitment to the agricultural sector,” he said.

The series follows the success of AHI’s weanling events last year.