22 simulators for use in agri colleges launched at National Ploughing Championships
Minister Martin Heydon is pictured with Anne-Marie Butler, head of education, Teagasc; Jonathan Keneally, technician, Teagasc Clonakilty Agriculture College; and professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc director.
11 calving and 11 injecting simulators for use in Teagasc agricultural colleges were launched on day three of the National Ploughing Championships.
Demonstration models of the new simulators are currently on display at the Teagasc stand at the event in Ratheniska, Co Laois.
Speaking from the Teagasc stand, Minister of State Martin Heydon said that almost one in five farm fatalities on Irish farms over the past decade involved livestock, while livestock also account for over half of all non-fatal incidents.
"These simulators will provide students with a safe environment in which to develop their livestock handling skills before progressing to working with live animals," Mr Heydon said.
"It is important that the next generation of farmers have the necessary skills in calving cows and injecting cattle to perform these tasks safely."
The Government is funding the €500,000 investment in the simulators.
"It will build on the investment I made in farm machinery simulators for agricultural colleges last year," Mr Heydon added.
The livestock simulators will be available to students completing courses at agricultural colleges and livestock research and innovation centres, and also to students at universities and technological universities who use these facilities for practical learning.
Teagasc head of education Anne Marie Butler said that about 4,200 full and part-time students and a further 1,380 students in higher education undertake practical training at agricultural colleges and centres.
"An estimated 85% of these students come from livestock farms, indicating the relevance of access to the bovine simulators," Ms Butler said.
"The bovine simulators will also be available to farmer groups who wish to expand their skill base related to cow-calving and injection skills."
