National Dairy Conference 2022

'Turning Challenges into Opportunities' - Tuesday December 6th, Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork and Thursday December 8th, Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath

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In the 12 months just passed, some monumental challenges have emerged for Irish agriculture and indeed the wider economy. Most immediate have been the consequences of war in Ukraine, including rapid input price inflation, plus uncertainty around supply chains for fertilizer, fuel and feed.

A relatively strong milk price this year has protected farm margins to a fair extent against these cost pressures. Dairy farmers are all too aware of the risks that market volatility can bring to their business over the longer term. Despite the altered price cost environment at present, meeting best practice targets around pasture utilisation, animal health and welfare, breeding for high EBI and controlling costs, remain the key drivers of farm profitability. The conference features messages on these key themes from researchers, advisers and leading dairy farmers