Teagasc Launch National Dairy Conferences 2006

Dairy farmers face unprecedented change. Milk price supports have been reducing over recent years. Upward pressure on costs has resulted in a price/cost squeeze impacting on dairy farming incomes. All involved in the dairy industry are facing critical decisions for the future of their businesses.

It is against this background that the Teagasc NationalDairy Conferences 2006 take place next month. The theme of the conferences this year is - “New Vision for the Irish Dairy Industry.”

On Wednesday 15 November at the South Court Hotel in Limerick and the following day, Thursday 16 November at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, County Cavan, a range of Teagasc, national and international speakers will outline their vision for the Irish dairy industry.

Dr John Penno, Executive Chairman of Synlait in New Zealand, will travel to Ireland to address both conferences and share his experiences of all stages of the milk chain in New Zealand, from on-farm production, through processing and marketing of dairy products.

In Limerick, Dr Noel Coakley, Chief Executive of the Irish Dairy Board will outline how Irish dairy products can compete in an increasingly competitive world market.

In Cavan, Mr. Eddie Hughes from Enterprise Ireland will address the issue of new investment in the Irish dairy industry, and outline details of the government grants available to assist processors willing to change.

Dr Sinclair Mayne, from the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland, will look at the challenges facing researchers to ensure milk production remains competitive.

Dairy farmers, John McNamara and Martin Flanagan, will address the Limerick and Cavan conferences respectively giving their perspectives on the changes necessary to secure the future of their farming business.

Teagasc experts will address a range of issues at both conferences from the value of quota, investment decisions, training needs of on farm workers, cost effective wintering options and the contract rearing of replacement heifers.

(See conference proceedings: National Dairy Conferences 2006)