Animal Health Ireland

Animal Health Ireland AHI will not become involved in the direct provision of on-farm animal health services, which will continue to be supplied by existing providers.

Animal Health Ireland provides the knowledge, education and coordination required to establish effective control programmes for non-regulated diseases of livestock. Its remit includes diseases and conditions of livestock which are endemic in Ireland, but which are not currently subject to regulation and coordinated programmes of control. Neither will it sponsor or promote the services provided to

livestock farmers by any individual commercial entity. AHI provides benefits to livestock producers and processors by providing the knowledge, education and coordination required to establish effective control programmes for non-regulated diseases of livestock. As an independent, science-driven organisation, AHI operates by the principle that Irish livestock farmers and the associated industry should have access to international best practice in herd health. To ensure that this is the case, advice provided by AHI is, wherever possible, subjected to international peer-review. In this way, the Board and Stakeholders of AHI are enabled to take decisions on the future direction of the Company, armed with the best possible information.

29/05/2026

Ireland is closer than ever to achieving BVD freedom

Speaking recently at the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food, Dr Maria Guelbenzu, BVD Programme Manager at Animal Health Ireland, highlighted the key measures within the BVD Control Programme for herds with positive results.

The progress made over recent years is a testament to the commitment of farmers, vets and the wider industry. The focus for 2026 will continue to centre on strong biosecurity, vaccination, forward tracing and early action to help finally eradicate BVD in Ireland.

We’re now within touching distance of BVD freedom — and by continuing to work together, we can finish the job.

22/05/2026

Our CalfCare events are back this June!

This year’s theme, Summer Sets the Standard, focuses on best practice across calf rearing systems and supporting strong calf performance throughout the grazing season.

Join host farm families, the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Programme, Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Ltd (Feed for Growth) and the meat processors and dairy co-ops in each region at on-farm events this June.

Events begin at 7pm each evening.

Important BVD Meeting – Tuesday 26th MayFarmers, vets and everyone involved in the industry are being encouraged to atte...
18/05/2026

Important BVD Meeting – Tuesday 26th May

Farmers, vets and everyone involved in the industry are being encouraged to attend a major all-island BVD meeting in the Tommy Makem Centre, Keady at 8pm.

AHI and AHWNI are coming together to discuss the latest BVD situation across Ireland and Northern Ireland, especially in areas where cases remain higher, including Armagh, Fermanagh and Monaghan.

Big progress has been made towards wiping out BVD, but there’s still work to do, and it’ll take everyone pulling together to get over the line.

There’ll be updates from vets and farm representatives, plus a chance for farmers to ask questions and join the discussion.

📍 Tommy Makem Centre, Keady
📅 Tuesday 26th May
⏰ 8pm

All welcome

On the cusp of BVD freedom.Speaking before the Joint Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, AHI CEO Patrick Donohoe and BVD P...
07/05/2026

On the cusp of BVD freedom.

Speaking before the Joint Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, AHI CEO Patrick Donohoe and BVD Programme Manager Dr Maria Guelbenzu highlighted the extraordinary progress made through the national BVD programme.

"Ireland has reduced BVD by more than 97% since the programme began, a huge achievement driven by farmers, vets, industry and Government working together.

We are truly on the cusp of BVD freedom.”

Thank you to every farmer who has diligently tagged and tested calves year after year. The progress made so far shows what collective effort can achieve.

The programme has delivered, it is delivering, and with continued collaboration, we can finish the job together.

AHI Student Bursary Award 2026 – Now Open!Are you a veterinary student completing a farm/clinic placement this summer? T...
01/05/2026

AHI Student Bursary Award 2026 – Now Open!

Are you a veterinary student completing a farm/clinic placement this summer? This is your chance to gain recognition, build your CV, and win a bursary for your work.
The AHI Student Bursary Award invites students to explore how Animal Health Ireland programmes are making a real impact on farms across the country.

What’s involved?
• Submit a short application (CV + max 500-word essay)
• Complete your summer placement
• Write a 4-page report on what you observed on farms
Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to complete a placement-based report, with a bursary award of €1,000 available for the successful candidate.

What’s in it for you?
• Bursary award
• Recognition for your work
• Valuable experience for your CV and future career
Open to: Veterinary students (placement years)
Based on your summer farm/clinic placement
Apply here:
https://animalhealthireland.ie/ahi-student-bursary-2026/

Application Closing Date: 29th May 2026
Take what you learn on placement and turn it into something that makes a difference.

UCD FAVS Vetsoc Auditor UCD Veterinary Medicine

27/04/2026

Our April newsletter articles are available to read here:
https://animalhealthireland.ie/news-events/bulletins/

From calves to cows, parasite control to biosecurity, there’s a lot happening on farm—and small decisions now can make a big difference later.
This update covers key reminders across all our programmes:
• Johne’s disease – the silent drain on herd performance
• Lameness around calving – why risk starts before you see it
• Calf rearing – getting the first weeks right
• Mastitis control – simple hygiene, big impact
• BVD – tightening biosecurity before breeding
• Parasites at grass – using grazing as a control tool
• Weaning – avoiding the post-weaning growth check
Each area links back to one thing: protecting performance and preventing avoidable losses.
Take a few minutes to review what matters most for your herd right now.

Our first-ever Biosecurity Week focused on simple, practical steps to help protect your herd and prevent the spread of d...
24/04/2026

Our first-ever Biosecurity Week focused on simple, practical steps to help protect your herd and prevent the spread of disease:

Monday: What biosecurity means and how it works on your farm
Tuesday: Safe purchasing of stock
Wednesday: Managing visitor biosecurity
Thursday: The role of vaccination
Friday: Fencing disease out of your herd

Each action plays a part in protecting animal health, farm productivity, and the wider industry.

Missed any of the advice? Catch up with our full Biosecurity Week bulletin here: https://animalhealthireland.ie/bulletins/biobulletinapril2026/

Let’s keep the momentum going, strong biosecurity starts with everyday actions.

Fence it out. Keep disease out.Day 5 of Biosecurity Week is all about boundary biosecurity — and the simple steps that p...
17/04/2026

Fence it out. Keep disease out.

Day 5 of Biosecurity Week is all about boundary biosecurity — and the simple steps that protect your herd:

✔️ Avoid nose-to-nose contact (aim for a 3m gap)
✔️ Keep water troughs at least 90cm high
✔️ Check fences and gates regularly
✔️ Take extra care on out-farms

Even short contact between neighbouring cattle can spread diseases like BVD, IBR and bTB.

Protect your herd — it starts at the fence line.

For more information go to www.animalhealthireland.ie/biosecurity

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

16/04/2026

Prevention is protection.

This Biosecurity Week, we’re highlighting how strong vaccination plans and on-farm protocols help protect herd health and farm performance.

Ireland has made excellent progress in BVD eradication, and maintaining a vaccination plan can help prevent accidental reintroduction and the birth of virus-positive calves.

With Bluetongue posing a potential risk in 2026, early prevention is key to protecting reproductive performance and profitability.

Healthy herds deliver healthy returns.

More information is available at https://animalhealthireland.ie/programmes/biosecurity/biosecurity-2026-breed-success-not-disease/

Address

2/5, The Archways, Co Leitrim
Carrick On Shannon

Telephone

0716971928

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