New simulators provide opportunity to practice lambing skills safely

An investment of €320,000 in seven ewe simulators for use by students completing agricultural training courses has been announced by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae TD.

The ewe lambing simulators are being used by students completing courses at the agricultural colleges and at the Teagasc Sheep Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co Galway. The simulators are also available to students at universities and technological universities who use these facilities for practical learning and to farmer groups who wish to improve their lambing skills.

Pictured at the launch in Pallaskenry Agricultural College are: Majella Moloney, Teagasc Regional Manager Kerry/Limerick; Derek O'Donoghue, Principal, Pallaskenry Agricultural College; Niall Blake, College Lecturer; and Minister Michael Healy-Rae. Photo: O'Gorman Photography. 

“These simulators provide students with a safe environment in which to learn and improve their lambing skills,” Minister Healy-Rae said when announcing the investment.

“With live-animal training, students have limited opportunities to learn about lambing skills, however, these ewe simulators will provide students with the opportunity to practice lambing skills safely before they progress to training on live animals."

Continuing, he said: “This investment in ewe simulators builds on the investments my Department has made in farm safety training in our agricultural colleges over the past three years so that that the next generation of farmers will have the necessary skills to carry out their work safely and efficiently.”

Pictured at the launch in Pallaskenry Agricultural College are Agri Aware Farm Safety First competition winners: Michael Heaphy; Mark Griffin; and Robbie Scanlan from St Michael's College, Listowel, Co. Kerry; with Niall Blake, Lecturer, Pallaskenry Agricultural College; and Minister Healy-Rae.

Also speaking at the launch, Director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O’Mara thanked Minister Healy-Rae and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for providing funds to procure the ewe simulators, adding:

“Ensuring that lambing occurs efficiently is vital for productivity and livestock welfare standpoints in sheep farming.  Use of the newly procured ewe simulators will enhance student practice without risks of infections associated with lambing.”

Head of Education at Teagasc, Dr Anne-Marie Butler highlighted that over 5,000 students, both full and part-time students and 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 ewe simulators to practice lambing skills. The ewe simulators will also be available to farmer groups who wish to expand their skill base related to lambing skills.

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