Teagasc Open Day on Curtins Farm
Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre will open it’s gates to all dairy farmers’ on Thursday 2 June 2005. This major event at Curtin’s farm will focus on new research information relating to the use of high EBI sires to breed future replacements, continued innovation in grazing management, latest results from once a day milking research, financial implication of supplementation at pasture, management strategies to improve reproductive performance and financial performance from monitor farms.
Speaking at the announcement of the Open Day, Dr. Pat Dillon, Head of Centre, said “The reform of the CAP, involves a 23% cut in support price for dairy products between 2004 and 2007, with less than 60% compensation by means of a decoupled payment. This new situation puts major pressure on dairy farmers’ to develop systems of milk production capable of delivering satisfactory returns in a lower milk price scenario. Likewise it puts major pressure on dairy processors to find good markets in the EU and also eliminate unnecessary costs. At farm level acquiring and applying the best technical innovation will be very important in this new environment”.
Pat Dillon said that systems of milk production based on high utilisation of grazed grass (70% or greater) will allow for the development of low cost, high labour productivity and low fixed costs systems of milk production.
In conclusion, Dr. Dillon urged all dairy farmers’ to attend Moorepark on the 2 June where they will have an opportunity to get the most up to date information and to speak to Teagasc staff on all aspects of cost control on dairy farms.
On the day the topics covered will include:
- Research initiatives to increase the profitability of dairy farming
- Setting the financial targets for tomorrow’s dairy farmers
- Making higher profit from high EBI cows
- Achieving a compact calving pattern
- Developing grazing management strategies to make more profit from grass
- Once a day milking – establishing the facts
- Supplementation at pasture – a cost/benefit analysis
- Role of grass-clover pastures for milk production
Ends
Issued by Larry O’Loughlin
A/Head Public Relation Department, Teagasc
Tel. 059 9183408; 087 2562434; Email: loloughlin@hq.teagasc.ie
