Moorepark19 - Irish Dairying - Growing Sustainably

The structure of the Irish dairy industry has changed significantly in the years immediately before and after EU milk quota abolition. This expansion has increased the competitiveness of Irish dairy farmers, as they are now producing more milk and at a lower cost, significantly increasing profitability. The Food Harvest 2020 and FoodWise 2025 strategy provided clear targets and effective communication channels to all stakeholders that facilitated co-ordinated multi-actor action in a variety of programmes. The application of key technologies in relation to farm system, grazing management and use of high EBI genetics were critical to achieving profitable expansion at farm level, as were the different policies and programmes that Food Harvest 2020 initiated. Challenges in the future relate to climate change, water quality, maintaining cost competitiveness, access to markets, and availability of an adequate supply of skilled labour. In order to address these challenges as effectively as the Irish dairy industry managed the challenge of milk quota removal, it is necessary to re-examine the Food Harvest 2020 and FoodWise 2025 plan and develop a new 2030 plan. It is critical that a new forward-looking plan gains strong industry support to ensure that it is delivered, thereby securing the successful future of the Irish dairy industry.

Moorepark19 - Irish Dairying - Growing Sustainably took place on Wednesday July 3rd 2019.

A comprehensive supporting book was produced for the day. Access the book here or the various sections of the book with the associated boards from the day in the pages below.

Taking Stock of Sustainable Growth
Sustainable Breeding - what are the options?
Grazing Management
Future Systems - Growing Sustainably