Teagasc Moorepark ‘23 Dairy Open Day
Teagasc Moorepark Open Day will take place Tuesday, 4th July 2023. The theme of the Teagasc Moorepark ’23 Open Day is ‘Securing a Sustainable Future’, and the overall sponsor of the event is FBD Insurance, with additional support from Ornua and Allied Irish Bank.
The Irish dairy industry has undergone a transformational change since the removal of the EU milk quota in 2015. Since the Irish dairy industry began to prepare for EU milk quota removal, milk solids output has increased by over 96%. This increased output has been achieved through increased cow numbers, increased milk yield per cow, increased fat and protein percentages, increased grass growth, increased stocking rate and additional land entering the dairy industry.
These achievements have occurred alongside growing environmental pressures concerning agricultural emissions (GHG and ammonia), water quality and biodiversity loss, growing food security issues associated with geo-political events, a requirement to refocus on competitiveness and people while continuing to focus on the integration of dairy and beef.
Speaking at the launch of the Open Day, Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc, said that “Dairy farms and dairy farming are consistently the most profitable agricultural enterprise, as reported by the National Farm Survey. As we look forward, there are new challenges that will form the basis of the development of the industry. These include the challenge to reduce agricultural GHG emissions by 25% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050, increased requirements associated with the Nitrates Action Programme and a risk that the maximum stocking rate of derogation farms will be reduced, increased requirements associated with the nature restoration law, and increased welfare focus on calves originating from the dairy herd. These challenges must be addressed while attracting new people into the industry and remaining competitive. The dairy industry has consistently responded in a positive manner to challenges in the past, and I am sure it will face the current challenges with the same focus. Moorepark’23 will provide guidance to farm families to address these challenges.”
Open Day topics will include strategies to increase all aspects of sustainability (social, environmental and economic), profitability, pasture management and nutrient use efficiency, the Signpost programme, the Dairy Beef 500 programme and dairy cow breeding, Health and Safety, and people in the dairy industry. There will be interactive areas for skills development, discussion on the Nitrates Directive, managing farm costs, an international perspective on policy, challenges and solutions, and infrastructure on the farm. A number of topics will be discussed at the Ornua forum area including market updates, milk quality, policy developments and people in the dairy industry.
Teagasc Moorepark ’23 will be an informative event for those with an interest in the Irish dairy industry. A comprehensive booklet will be provided. Admission and parking is free. Gates open from 8.30 am and the event closes at 5 pm.
For more information visit www.teagasc.ie/moorepark23