13 June 2025
Supporting International Men’s Health Week
Teagasc is proud to support International Men’s Health Week, established to heighten awareness of preventable health problems, support healthier lifestyle choices and to encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.
Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, Dr. John McNamara advises farmers that taking measures to actively maintain health is vital for farming and lifestyle. Now is a great time of the year to plan health, safety and leisure activities for the coming months.
To coincide with International Men’s Health Week, Teagasc is supporting two major free-of-charge events to highlight the importance of focusing on safety, health and wellbeing.
On Wednesday, June 12th, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, Francis Bligh participated in a webinar titled: Shoulder to Shoulder – Connecting for Health. The webinar, hosted by Men’s Development Network, highlighted the impact of the On Feirm Ground 2 programme on training agricultural professionals to support and encourage farmers to prioritise and manage their health.
The On Feirm Ground programme supports the wellbeing of those working with and within farming communities, reinforcing the power of connection in promoting men’s health. It is a collaboration between government departments, partners and stakeholders.
A recording of the webinar is available to watch below:
Health and Safety Exhibit at Sheep 2025
On Saturday, June 21st, Teagasc’s major national Sheep 2025 Open Day will take place from 10am to 5pm at Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway. The event offers an unparalleled opportunity for farmers, industry professionals and the general public to explore the latest innovations and trends in the Irish sheep industry, but it will also include a major health and safety exhibit.
This exhibit includes a strong focus on farmer health and wellbeing. Healthy Galway, as part of the Taking Stock Facebook campaign, will be present at Sheep 2025, alongside Croí, the heart and stroke charity, providing an opportunity for farmers to avail of free health checks and discuss health and wellbeing with trained nurses. The Taking Stock campaign is part of the larger Healthy Galway effort to encourage farmers to prioritise their health, financial well-being and work-life balance.
“Attending the Sheep 2025 exhibit is a great way to gain new knowledge and ideas to manage health and safety on your farm,” Health and Safety Specialist at Teagasc, Francis Bligh stated.
“Also, by attending the event, you will receive the most up-to-date information on efficient sheep farming to support profitability and sustainable workloads,” he stated.
More from Teagasc Daily: Building farmer resilience
More from Teagasc Daily: Tips and advice for Men’s Health Week
More from Teagasc Daily: Improving heart health for farmers – tips and advice from Croí