Tuam Mart to host animal health and welfare event

A SEMINAR in Tuam Mart this Thursday July 16 will focus on weanling health and vaccinations.

The animal health and welfare seminar gets underway at 7.30pm and is being held by Tuam Mart, in conjunction with the IFA. Guest speakers at the event include a vet, a weanling exporter, a representative of Dovea Genetics, a representative from the IFA, as well as the editor of the Irish Farmers Journal Adam Woods.

Promoting awareness around the importance of vaccinations in weanling calves to ward against respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia is one of the main goals of the seminar. Vaccinating weanlings can prevent them picking up infections and illnesses and also reduce the need for antibiotic usage.

Weanling exporters temporarily paused buying livestock at some marts last October due to frustrations with animals not being dosed or vaccinated before being brought to the mart.

“It’s to keep marts getting as many customers around the ring for as good a stock as we can present to them,” said Brendan Nestor, the Chair of the Tuam Mart Committee.

“It’s in the best interests of both farmers and sellers. It’s not just in Tuam. It’s to try and have as many buyers around the ring in marts as possible.

“Farmers produce weanlings in the best possible condition they can, but some of the animals are getting sick. There is a problem with some weanlings because they do get viruses.”

A free draw for Dovea Genetics will be held at the seminar and there will be refreshments available for those in attendance.