Animal Health Ireland (AHI) CalfCare Roadshows are set to continue again this winter, with 16 events planned across the country.

AHI are encouraging all farmers who are involved in calf rearing to find one nearby.

Over the seven weeks, AHI, in collaboration with Teagasc’s DairyBeef500 Programme, and supported by Feed For Growth/Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited, the renowned CalfCare Roadshow will once again cover the length of the country from counties Kerry to Donegal.

The return of these roadshows for the 15th year is due to the valuable information disseminated each year and farmers' hunger for relevant transferable information.

Farmers see first-hand on the host farms how excellent calf management leads to healthier, more profitable herds.

This year’s theme, 'Healthy Calves, Your Profitable Future', highlights the direct link between calf health, animal welfare, and farm profitability.

The 2025/2026 roadshow will demonstrate how the steps taken before a calf is born and if continued through weaning and in its first year of life will lay the foundation for a strong, productive herd.

Why attend the CalfCare Roadshow?

The roadshows are renowned for their practical, science-based insights.

Farmers gain knowledge that can be applied immediately to improve calf growth, performance, and long-term farm profitability.

Whilst every farmer knows that raising healthy calves is critical, AHI recognises that seeing it done in practice makes all the difference and that is the driver behind hosting so many of these events throughout the country.

Dr. Michelle McGrath from AHI said, “The 2026 CalfCare Roadshow offers farmers the chance to observe best practice in calf husbandry on working farms.”

AHI has also outlined some of the other insights expected from each host farm:

Learn how nutrition, housing, and health management strategies directly affect calf development and performance;
Understand how early intervention and attention to detail can reduce disease risk, improve survival, and enhance long-term productivity;
Gain practical, science-backed advice suitable for both dairy and beef systems.

Dr McGrath said: “There is no middle ground when it comes to producing a healthy calf be that for sale or for entering into your own herd.

"Taking the important steps outlined at the AHI CalfCare series will help ensure that calves are healthy and well-reared so they are profitable for farmers.”

Collaboration across the sector for both dairy and beef farmers

The CalfCare series has also partnered with key industry people. This includes contributors from Teagasc’s DairyBeef500 Programme, and Feed For Growth/Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited.

The important thing for farmers to be aware of is - whether it is dairy or dairy-beef calves they are rearing - the information disseminated at each of the farms throughout the roadshow will apply to their farm too.

The information is centred around excellent calf management for both dairy and beef systems and will deliver real on-farm benefits.

For Volac Milk Replacers Ireland / Feed For Growth sales manager Úna Hickey views the roadshows as a hugely beneficial initiative from AHI.

She stated: “Our long association with these roadshows is because of the value we see in them.

"The events also give farmers an opportunity to have a rethink and get it right from the start, so they come through the 2026 season with healthier calves and a more profitable future.”

Plan your visit

With no less than 16 events nationwide, running from Monday, December 8, 2025 to Thursday, January 22, 2026, there is an opportunity for farmers in every region to see best-practice calf rearing in action.