Results of a survey of 64 Irish vets show they are up-to-date with current recommended best practices in calving management. To investigate such barriers to best veterinary practice, a consortium in 11 European countries was co-ordinated by the University of Lisboa, Portugal, to survey vets. The survey results, reported at the Teagasc Moorepark '25 event last July, included wide variation in Irish vets' recommended assistance times for heifers and cows. This may reflect the wide variation encountered by vets in individual calving circumstances and personal experience. The vast majority of vets (92.2%) used a calving jack, only 1.6% used a calving pulley.

Source: Irish Examiner January 20, 2026 16:58 UTC