FREE online training for farmers delivered by veterinary experts
Free Expert Advice
Advice you can trust, delivered by veterinary professionals
Instant Access
Start immediately, unlimited access and mobile friendly
Practical Demonstration
Practical, implementable training
Resource Library
Access to online articles, videos and our members magazine
Free Trusted Advice
Delivered by veterinary professionals.
Practical Demonstration
Practical, implementable training.
Instant Access
Start immediately, unlimited access and mobile friendly.
Resource Library
Access to online articles, videos and our members magazine.
Why People Choose Agri Academy
Our training addresses relevant animal health issues on farm, delivered in a practical manner by veterinary experts. You can access our training 24/7 and learn on the go with our mobile friendly bite-sized modules
FREE online training for farmers
Reliable, practical and relevant advice on animal health and welfare issues
Training you can trust, delivered by veterinary experts
Enhance your skills with our easy to use online platform
Make better decisions for better results on farm
Mobile friendly and accessible on the go
Meet Our Expert Trainers
Our modules are delivered by veterinary experts who are dedicated to addressing the animal health training needs of livestock farmers in Ireland
Conor Geraghty
Conor Geraghty, native of Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, graduated with an MVB from University College Dublin in 1999. Following terms in both large animal and equine practice in the midlands and West of Ireland… Conor is principal of Geraghty & Neary Veterinary, a three person large animal/equine practice in east Galway. His specific veterinary interests include herd health, reproductive efficiency in beef and dairy cattle and knowledge transfer. He graduated from UCDs Dairy Herd Health in 2016. Conor is also a long-standing member of Veterinary Ireland. He has served on the CAVI (Cattle Association of Veterinary Ireland) committee since 2011 and has been Chair for the past two years. He is currently Chair of the Food Animal Group of Veterinary Ireland. He is an active member of a number of working groups within the organisation including the BVD Implementation Group. Conor manages a successful beef herd and breeds Belgian Blue cattle in his spare time.Read more
Donal Lynch
Donal Lynch is originally from Dublin and is now based and working in Tullamore. He qualified as vet in UCD in 2000. He is past President of Veterinary Ireland and past Chairperson of the Food Animal Group of Veterinary Ireland… Since qualification he has worked in mixed general practice with particular emphasis in cattle health and production. Prior to qualifying as a vet he spent time working in the agricultural sector on a large progressive dairy herd. Donal maintains a keen interest in all veterinary and agricultural matters. Donal is a member of the IBR Technical Working Group and one of the Veterinary Ireland representative on the BVD Implementation Group.Read more
Ger Cusack
Ger graduated from UCD Vet College in 1982 and is a practicing vet partner in Comeragh Veterinary, a mixed, mainly dairy cattle practice, based in Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford.
. … Completing the Certificate in Dairy Herd Health in 2015 revived Ger’s interest in Bovine Preventive Medicine. The management and control of Bovine Lameness is a field of particular interest to Ger and he has delivered many courses to both vets and farmers on this and related topics.Read more
Ger is an elected member of the Veterinary Council of Ireland, the statutory body that is responsible for the regulation of the veterinary profession in Ireland Member of the Animal Health Ireland Lameness Technical Working Group.
Module One
The Essentials of Good Medicine Management on Farm
Gain a deeper understanding of best practice in the safe use of veterinary medicines on the farm. Topics covered in this module include:
- Vaccine regulations
- Correct use of vaccines, anthelmintics and antibiotics
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Accurate record keeping
Module Two
Pneumonia: Reduce The Financial Impact In Your Herd This Winter
We consider best practice tips to help reduce pneumonia outbreaks. Topics covered in this module include:
- The financial impact
- Identifying the clinical signs
- Ventilation & housing
- Vaccinations and effective treatments options
Module Three
Best Practice in Drying Off Cows
We discuss best practice when drying off cows. Topics covered in this module include:
- Selection criteria
- Step by step guide to techniques & equipment used
- Key principles of selective dry cow therapy
Module Four
Lameness: Reduce the Incidents In Your Herd
We look at the steps you can take to reduce the losses associated with lameness. Topics covered in this module include:
- Lameness Costs
- The most common lameness conditions affecting the foot
- Hoof pairing and hoof care
- Hygiene, housing
- Roadways and collecting yards
Module One
The Essentials of Good Medicine Management on Farm
Gain a deeper understanding of best practice in the safe use of veterinary medicines on the farm, includes;
- Vaccine regulations
- Correct use of vaccines, anthelmintics and antibiotics
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Accurate record keeping
Module Two
Pneumonia: Reduce The Financial Impact In Your Herd This Winter
We consider best practice tips to help reduce pneumonia outbreaks, includes;
- The financial impact
- Identifying the clinical signs
- Ventilation & housing
- Vaccinations and effective treatments options
Module Three
Best Practice in Drying Off Cows
We discuss best practice when drying off cows. Course includes;
- Selection criteria
- Step by step guide to techniques & equipment used
- Key principles of selective dry cow therapy
Module Four
Lameness: Reduce the Incidents In Your Herd
We look at the steps you can take to reduce the losses associated with lameness, includes;
- Lameness Costs
- The most common lameness conditions affecting the foot
- Hoof pairing and hoof care
- Hygiene, housing, Roadways and collecting yards
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is XLVets Skillnet?
In 2011, XLVets Ireland established XLVets Skillnet, a learning network supporting the training needs of the veterinary and farming sectors in Ireland.
Our mission is to support livestock farming through education enabling a better quality of life for farmers and animals.
We are funded by Skillnet Ireland and the Department of Education and Skills. This funding allows us to offer the Agri Academy modules as a free resource.
For more information visit https://www.skillnetireland.ie/
Why should I do this training?
Well firstly, training is FREE, so why not? But secondly, our modules are delivered in a practical manner, promoting best practice to help you avoid the losses associated with the spread of disease on farm.
When completing a module, how do I return to where I left off?
Once you sign up, you will need to enrol on each module separately including our resource library.
As you work through a module, you’ll see a check mark next to the completed section and your course progress percentage will increase. Incomplete lectures are denoted with an empty or a partially filled-in circle. Completed sections are denoted with a check mark. You can view individual section progress and course progress in the course sidebar. Sections will only be marked as complete ONLY if the Complete and Continue button is clicked. When you return to the module, you will see where you left off on the left-hand side of the screen.
XLVets Agri Academy is hosted on a platform called Teachable – for more information on navigating through modules, click here
Do I have to complete every section?
You must complete each section before moving onto the next section. Agri Academy is a completely self-paced online learning hub – you decide when you start and when you finish. Our training is accessible from many devices and mobile friendly. Once each module is completed you will be issued with a certificate of completion.
FREE online animal health training for the farming sector, delivered by veterinary experts
Testimonials
See what our trainees have to say about the training XLVets Skillnet deliver
”The training was very well done. The trainers were very clear explaining each topic, there was no jargon. The practical demonstration from the vets were excellent.They showed a better way of doing things that I certainly apply on my own farm. The training was easy to access and I could login on my mobile when out on the farm. I have completed all 4 modules and look forward to watching more.
Donal FlynnRoscommon
Agri Academy is FREE!
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