Animal health talk tackles several issues

An informative and educational talk on animal health and calf husbandry at Enniscorthy Mart was organised by local man Liam O’Byrne.

Liam is the current Wexford IFA animal health Chairperson.

The talk featured a number guest speakers including Pat Farrell, the IFA’s National animal health chairperson and Enniscorthy-based vet, Martin Breen.

Vice-chairperson of Wexford IFA, Edel Gahan, was also among those in attendance on the night.

Mart manager, Tommy Harrington, welcomed everyone to the event and speaking afterwards Mr O’Byrne said it was a very successful night with plenty of issues raised and discussed.

He said he thought about organising such an event for some time and did so because of concerns about the welfare of livestock due to over-population.

‘I organised it because we are coming into the calving season and a lot of them will be born on farms,’ he said.

‘There won’t be much of a market for them and then people keep them and then as you bring them up you are into diseases, breakdown and illnesses,’ said Mr O’Byrne.

‘What I really wanted to do through this talk was to raise awareness of what’s in store down the line and people need to be aware of it,’ he added.

Mr O’Byrne went on to comment that despite calves being worth ‘very little’ they still need to be looked after.

He said the event drew a good crowd despite it clashing with another event on the same night.

‘I organised it through the IFA branch network and the people in the audience had a lot of questions for the speakers which were answered on the night,’ he said.

Mr O’Byrne said that due to the success of the event he hopes a similar talk might take place at an executive meeting soon.

‘I thought about it a while ago and just decided I would do it and I’m glad because it was informative,’ he said.

A number of farmers from around the general Enniscorthy area attended along with some people from other parts of the county.

Mr O’Byrne said that by being informed about issues that can arise during calving season people can be better prepared.

Mart manager Tommy Harrington speaking at the Animal Health & Calf Husbandry talk in Enniscorthy Mart on Tuesday night.

Dr Bernadette Earley, Teagasc Research Officer; Pat Farrell, IFA National Animal Health chairman; Liam O’Byrne, Wexford IFA Animal Health chairman; Martin Breen, local vet; and Edel Gahan, Vice-chairperson Wexford IFA.