Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management (Level 7)
Background Details
The abolition of EU milk quotas in 2015 presents a real opportunity for the Irish dairy sector to significantly increase milk production. Ireland can produce milk in a more cost efficient and environmentally sustainable manner relative to many of our competitors. The Food Harvest 2020 Report (FH2020) calls for a 50 percent expansion in milk output by 2020. This is a very ambitious but achievable target. Expansion of this nature will require future Irish dairy farms to:
- be highly efficient and competitive
- have an ability to access and implement cutting edge dairy farming technology
- have strong business and technical managerial capacity.
Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management (Level 7)
The future expansion and intensification of Irish dairy production will increase the demand for commercial dairy farm management skills. In response to recommendations in the Food Harvest 2020 Report; Teagasc have developed a new programme for future professional dairy farm managers. Graduates of the new programme will receive a Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management (Level 7) which will be validated by University College Dublin.
The programme will incorporate two years Professional Work Experience on the most progressive Irish dairy farms with an option to travel overseas. The overall aim is to develop the managerial expertise and capacity of future managers. Graduates will be well equipped to manage their own commercial dairy farms or manage dairy enterprises for others.
The programme will also be promoted as the industry recognised standard for professional dairy farm managers.
Programme Content
The programme will be based on four modules:
- Dairy Production Technology
- Dairy Farm Management
- Growing Your Dairy Business
- Dairy Professional Work Experience
What will I learn?
Each module will focus on a core aspect of managing a dairy farm business. The learning emphasis will be on both the managerial competencies and operational skills. A broad summary of the learning outcomes for each module is given below:
Dairy Production Technology focuses on the practical application of the latest research and advice including grass management, breeding, fertility, milk quality, cow nutrition, herd health, calf rearing and sustainable dairy farming.
Dairy Farm Management focuses on employer responsibilities, relationship management, work prioritisation and labour efficiency, cashflow management, Teagasc farm financial toolkit, farm compliance management and information management.
Growing your Dairy Business focuses on dairy industry trends, opportunities for expansion, business goal setting, business planning, resource planning, health and bio security planning, risk assessment and personal business skill development.
Professional Work Experience (PWE) the PWE is a core learning component of the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management. The PWE programme will provide trainee managers with an opportunity to further develop: operational management skills, stock husbandry skills as well as decision making and farm performance benchmarking skills. Participants will spend two years on approved host farms, trainee managers will move to a different host farm at the end of a 12 month block.
New Zealand
In year two of the PWE, students will have an opportunity to spend approximately four months in New Zealand on a suitable dairy farm if they so wish.
How will I Learn?
Discussion Group Participation
Trainee farm managers will be required to participate in monthly Discussion Group meetings for the programme participants.
Contact Modules
The programme will incorporate approximately six weeks of contact modules. These modules will be delivered as one to two course days and in one week block release periods.
Workplace Learning
On farm Professional Work Experience will provide the trainee manager with a progressive commercial dairy farm work environment.
Self Directed Learning
Participants will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning, reflect on their learning experiences and adopt a problem solving approach to learning.
Who Will Teach the Programme?
The programme will be unique in bringing together an integrated team of highly experienced Teagasc staff. This team will include Teagasc college lecturers, Teagasc Moorepark Research staff and Teagasc Dairy Knowledge Transfer Specialists and Teagasc Financial Management Specialists. Guest speakers will include staff from UCD, industry, agri services and commercial farm managers.
Entry Requirements and Applications
Applicants must possess at a minimum a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture or an equivalent major agricultural award. Applications will be made to Teagasc, Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny (051 644400). Closing date for applications - Wednesday July 4th 2012.
Application Form Word format PDF format
Course Fee
The course fee is €800 per annum. The programme will be of two years duration.
