Teagasc will soon roll out the use of simulators as a training tool to support the teaching of practical skills for calving cows and for injecting cattle for students on the QQI Level 5 and 6 Agricultural programmes. This is in addition to the machinery, equine and forestry simulators, which are already in place.
The new simulators will enable demonstration and practice of husbandry skills related to bovine pregnancy, calving, ear tagging and injecting.
The simulators give the students the feel of a real animal. Student can practice their skills without any danger to themselves or to the welfare of an animal. This is ideal as an introductory exercise for students before progressing to practice in a real life situation. Teagasc would like to acknowledge the support of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) for their continued support on this.
The chosen cow simulators for Teagasc purposes are built by a company in Canada (both dairy and beef cow).
https://www.vetsimulators.com/catalogue
The chosen injection simulator for Teagasc purposes is built by a company in USA.
https://www.realityworks.com/product/bovine-injection-simulator/
Video on Bovine Injection Simulator https://www.youtube.com/embed/KmvPWKhcQ8o?rel=0
(Compiled by Francis Quigley and James Maher, Teagasc)
