Longford 2026 calving season: Personal safety and aiming for healthy calves on the ground

Calving has started or is about to start on many farms in the region and the next few weeks will be busy and risky.

Two key areas of focus include ensuring personal safety and aiming for healthy calves on the ground.

Always think safety first around freshly calved cows.

Almost one-third of livestock-related fatalities involve cows with calves.

Always keep a strong gate between you and the cow when assisting, tagging, or treating.

Work from outside the pen using a calving gate, keep an escape route, and don’t lift or pull awkwardly—use lifting aids and get help if needed.

Plan night checks so no one is dangerously tired and keep children and visitors away from calving areas and freshly calved cows.

Sort the set-up today

Calving pens should be, power-washed, disinfected, and deeply bedded.

Test the calving gate and jack, fix any broken latches, and replace frayed ropes.

It is also important to check the lights are working in all buildings. Keep one clearly marked isolation pen for any sick calf. Put a grab-and-go calving kit in one spot.

This should include long gloves, plenty of lube, two clean rope sets, a sanitised stomach tube, iodine or for navels, disinfectant, electrolytes, thermometer, tags and applicator, and a calf jacket.

Have hot water and a hand-wash station ready. Teagasc’s Calving Checklist is a good last-minute audit.

Have your vet’s number to hand and don’t hesitate to call early if a calving stalls or a calf looks off-colour; early action saves lives. Weather permitting, turn pairs to a dry, sheltered paddock near the yard.

A prepared yard, clear routines and prompt decisions will make the next few weeks safer for everyone and deliver vigorous, thriving calves.

Teagasc provides a Local Advisory and Education service to farmers.

They have offices based in Roscommon Town (Tel: 090 6626166), Castlerea (Tel: 094 9620160) and Longford Town (Tel: 043 3341021).

You can find more details on Facebook @Teagascroscommonlongford, Instagram @teagasc.rnld and X @teagascRNLD. Email; RoscommonLongford
Advisory@teagasc.ie

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