Longford students make livestock dosing far safer

A group of Transition year students from County Longford have created an innovative product to assist farmers that are dosing animals.

Emma Brennan, Mia Kiernan, Kate McKeon, Emma Gantley, Aoife Cadam and Kelly Davis, from Moyne Community School have designed and manufactured ‘It's a Dose’ with the aim of making the task of livestock dosing much safer and easier.

The idea for this product was developed after one of the girls observed a challenge on her family farm. She noticed her father struggling to manage both a dosing gun and a bottle while treating cattle.

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With further research, the group discovered that some farmers use baler twine to hold the bottle, a method which is both uncomfortable and unsafe. After discussing the issue, the group brainstormed potential solutions, which ultimately led to the creation of their product.

‘It's a Dose’ is made up of two straps that can be connected to any size dosing bottle and will securely hold it in place.

The strap holds the dosing bottle on the farmers back with the aim of freeing up their hand for added farm safety. Having a free hand is essential when working amongst livestock.

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The girls recently won the Senior Category at the Longford Student Enterprise Finals which qualifies them for the National Student Enterprise Finals that are being held at the Mullingar Park Hotel on May 8, 2025. They were also exhibiting ‘It's a Dose’ at the County Longford Ploughing Championships in Ballymahon last Sunday.

This product is currently stocked at the following locations: McKeon Engineering and Agri Supplies, Soran, Ballinalee; Ballinalee Stores, Ballinalee; Homeland, Mohill and Longford Animal Health Centre, Shroid.

Orders can also be placed by contacting itsadose25@gmail.com