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Teagasc Moorepark ‘21 Dairy Open Day

Teagasc Moorepark Open Day will take place on Tuesday, 14th, Wednesday, 15th and Thursday, 16th September 2021, for the Irish dairy industry. The Open Day will be repeated over the three days to ensure compliance with government Covid-19 guidelines.

The theme of the Teagasc Moorepark ‘21 Open Day is ‘Delivering Sustainability’, and the overall sponsor of the event is FBD Insurance, with additional support from Ornua and Allied Irish Bank.

The Irish dairy industry has been the fastest growing dairy-sector in the EU over the last 10 years, which has contributed greatly to improved economic prosperity in rural Ireland and to growth in employment and exports. These achievements have occurred alongside growing environmental pressures concerning agricultural emissions (GHG and ammonia), reduced water quality and biodiversity loss. Given the ambitious national environmental targets that have been adopted, the dairy industry needs to operate farming systems that are sustainable in economic, social and environmental terms. There is, therefore, an urgent requirement for dairy farmers to adopt new technologies and manage their farming system to minimise its impact on climate change, water and air quality and biodiversity.

Speaking at the launch of the Open Day, Professor Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc, said that "The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill was recently passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas. This will require Ireland to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. There are related challenges concerning biodiversity, water quality and ammonia emissions. This is highlighted this week with the publication of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Food Vision 2030 strategy. Dairy farmers are aware of the need to address these issues. I have no doubt that the energy that was devoted to growing production in recent years can be harnessed to improve sustainability in the same impressive manner. These Teagasc Dairy Open Days will provide guidance to farm families to address these challenges.”

Attendees will be able to visit the Teagasc Moorepark site while complying with government Covid-19 guidelines, on one of the three days. Attendees will be required to register online and attend at a predetermined time. Registration will open by September 6th at www.teagasc.ie/moorepark21 . Numbers attending will be in line with government guidelines at the time. Open Day topics will include strategies to increase farm efficiency and profitability, grassland management and nutrient use efficiency, the Signpost Programme, the DairyBeef 500 Campaign and dairy cow breeding, and developing a Great Farm Workplace.

Each day at 7pm there will be a Moorepark’21 virtual event, which will be broadcast live from the Open Day venue. The virtual events will include an industry forum on challenges and opportunities facing the Irish dairy industry; an awards ceremony celebrating the 2021 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards; and key technical messages from the Open Day. Hosts from radio/television will facilitate these panel discussions with contributors from the agri food sector.

Teagasc Moorepark ‘21 will be an informative event for those with an interest in the Irish dairy industry. Full compliance with government Covid-19 guidelines will be required, such as hand sanitizing and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing, use of face covering and arriving at your preassigned time. A comprehensive booklet will be provided. Admission and parking is free, but booking is required.