Calf care roadshow to visit 16 farms nationwide

Animal Health Ireland (AHI) is running a calf care roadshow, which will take place across 16 family farms nationwide from December 2025 to January 2026.

Each event aims to provide farmers with practical, science-based insights on calf husbandry, nutrition, management and performance.

This year’s theme 'Healthy calves, your profitable future' highlights the connection between good calf health, animal welfare and farm profitability.

All events start at 11am and will be hosted on participating farms nationwide, which can be viewed below.

It shows how steps taken before the calf lands right through weaning and the first year of life will ensure the next generation of the herd are ready to deliver for the farmer.

Running from Monday 8 December 2025 to Thursday 22 January 2026, the roadshow will deliver practical, science-based insights to support farmers in achieving the highest possible standard in calf development.

Support

Supported by the agri-food industry, including dairy co-ops and meat processors, each event will showcase best practice in calf husbandry, management and performance.

The events are being organised in collaboration with Teagasc’s DairyBeef500 Programme and supported by Feed For Growth/Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited.

Commenting on the return of the successful CalfCare series, Dr Michelle McGrath from AHI said that there "is no middle ground" when it comes to producing a healthy calf be that for sale or for entering into your own herd.

"The health and wellbeing of the calf is critical to rearing a quality calf. Taking the important steps outlined at the AHI CalfCare series will help ensure that calves are healthy and well-reared in order to be profitable for farmers," she said.

DairyBeef500 programme manager at Teagasc Alan Dillon added: “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.”

National sales manager at Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited Úna Hickey added that the roadshow gives farmers an opportunity to refresh their knowledge on best practice of calf nutrition, housing and husbandry.

Participating farms and dates