Teagasc Liquid Milk Conference to Address Producer Challenges

The Teagasc National Liquid Milk Conference will take place on Thursday, 23 October at the Morans Red Cow Hotel, Dublin. The conference takes place against a backdrop of rising feed costs and pressure on liquid milk price which are threatening incomes on liquid milk farms. Teagasc analysis shows that production costs were 4 cent per litre higher and profit 3 cent per litre lower on liquid milk farms compared with the average spring milk farm last year. The price of inputs such as feed and fertiliser has risen substantially over the past year, hitting liquid milk producers particularly hard as they tend to have higher input systems because of the out of season nature of the business.

Speaking in advance of the conference Dr. Joe Patton, Teagasc Dairy Production Research Centre Moorepark, said; “There is clearly no place for the production of surplus milk in the winter months that doesn’t attract a winter bonus. Our analysis shows that more careful attention to calving patterns on liquid milk farms could reduce production costs by minimising the proportion of milk produced in the high cost winter months.”

Taking control of herd fertility is essential when planning the appropriate calving pattern to match the winter bonuses. UK genetics expert Dr. Mike Coffey will outline the role of longevity in the high yielding cow. Teagasc fertility researcher Dr. Stephen Butler will identify technologies to improve heat detection in dairy cows while indoors.

With feed prices rising, liquid milk producers need to search carefully for ‘value for money’ when purchasing winter feeds and forages. Dr. Siobhan Kavanagh, Teagasc nutrition specialist will compare the current cost of feedstuffs and identify which feeds are currently overpriced and which represent value for money.

Farmer speakers at the conference include Meath liquid milk producer Tom Clinton who will identify the challenges facing liquid milk in the modern market place. James and Carmel McDonnell will describe their 15 years of experience with using grass to its maximum in the diet of their high yielding liquid milk herd. Anne Marie Butler of Ulster Bank, the main sponsors of the conference, will outline how the bank is responding to farm investment requirements in a more challenging financial environment.