After some time away from the clinic, I recently returned home to Ireland for two months during the busy lambing and calving season. Alongside helping on my family’s sheep farm, I was also drafted in for a number of local veterinary calls.
Having spent the past two years working in Waikato’s large-scale, pasture-based farming systems, it was a valuable opportunity to reflect on both the similarities and differences in farming between New Zealand and Ireland.
One of the biggest differences is the calving environment.
Due to unpredictable spring weather and heavy ground conditions, most Irish livestock are brought indoors for calving. This creates unique challenges:
However, there is one key advantage — animals are constantly monitored, meaning:
While in Ireland, most of the calls I attended were typical for the region — difficult calvings involving large cows and large calves.
Breeds commonly used in Ireland include:
These breeds are known for:
As a result, caesarean sections are a routine part of farm veterinary work in Ireland.
Many of the conditions I encountered were similar to those seen in New Zealand:
One of the most noticeable differences was farmer attitudes toward intervention.
Within a day of arriving home, I attended a call to a cow struggling to calve. Unlike many similar cases in New Zealand:
The outcome:
No matter where you work, there are few things more satisfying than leaving a farm with both animals thriving.
Aftercare for caesarean cases typically includes:
In the cases I managed, all animals made full recoveries.
In my experience, both farmers and vets in New Zealand can sometimes be reluctant to opt for surgery early.
However, when done at the right time:
The most important message heading into calving season is simple:
Act early or call your vet early.
Prompt decision-making allows us to:
It’s great to be back in the Waikato for another busy calving season.
If you see me out on farm, feel free to:
