Farmers Benefit from New Technology
Issued 31stJuly 2001
Dairy farmers who have adopted the Teagasc milk production blueprints developed at Moorepark Research Centre are benefiting by up to £2,500 per year through a combination of increased milk value and reduced costs, according to the Teagasc Review for 2000.
The review also states that new tillage technology developed at Oak Park Research Centre made a major contribution to record yields last year, when Irish tillage growers achieved among the highest yields in the world.
Launching the review, Teagasc Director, Dr Liam Downey, said 85,000 farmers availed of the organisation's advisory services. Training was provided for 12,000 young entrants, adult farmers and rural dwellers and over 2,500 participated in training courses provided for the food industry.
Last year also saw a further increase in the number of joint Teagasc/industry advisory programmes. A total of 21 programmes were in operation with dairy processors, livestock marts and meat plants.
''These programmes ensured that the combined resources of Teagasc and industry were used to best effect and also that programmes were fine-tuned to local needs'', said Dr Downey.
He said discussion groups are rapidly becoming the key mechanism for transferring new technology to farmers. More than 400 groups are now being operated by Teagasc in dairying, beef, sheep and tillage.
''We have now clear evidence that active participants in our discussion groups are benefiting substantially through reduced costs, better breeding, improved returns and strict financial control'', he added.
Dr Downey said that 300 different research projects were undertaken last year at the nine Teagasc research centres, involving 200 scientists and 100 post-graduate research students.
Last year also saw a major upgrading of Teagasc training courses, with the introduction of new third level courses for young entrants to agriculture and horticulture.
''For the first time ever, agricultural training has been brought into the mainstream education system with the option for participants to progress to university degree level'' he said.
Another new feature was the establishment of IT courses for farmers. These met with a phenomenal response with over 2,500 farmers attending 250 courses.
For the full text of the Teagasc Annual Review 2000, click here
