You are all very welcome to the Teagasc Moorepark dairy open day for 2017. The dairy sector is a critical pillar of not only the Irish agricultural sector, but the entire economy. It accounts for approximately 31% of gross agricultural output, valued at €3.4bn in 2016.
You are all very welcome to the Teagasc Moorepark dairy open day for 2017. The dairy sector is a critical pillar of not only the Irish agricultural sector, but the entire economy.
It accounts for approximately 31% of gross agricultural output, valued at €3.4bn in 2016.
The dairy sector is currently facing both challenges and opportunities. Challenges exist in relation to inadequate availability of skilled labour, milk price volatility and the requirement to further improve sustainability, while the potential effect of Brexit is a significant concern.
Opportunities
Opportunities also exist based on the competitiveness of the Irish dairy industry, continuing growth in world demand for dairy products and the scientifically supported perception that milk produced from grass-fed dairy cows is a premium quality product.
Recent rapid expansion has created a new and growing demand for people. Over the last six years, dairy farm numbers have remained static while cow numbers have increased by 327,000.
The structure of the Irish dairy industry has changed significantly in recent years; the average herd size has increased from 45 cows in 2005 to 76 cows in 2016.
Likewise, the proportion of cows in herds of greater than 100 cows has increased from 13% in 2005 to 47% in 2016.
The dairy sector now needs a reappraisal of farm management, with an increased focus on efficient work practices, subcontracting of particular tasks and attracting an increased supply of highly skilled young people into the sector.
Global milk production
Only 10% of global milk production originates from grazing systems of production similar to traditional Irish systems.
Recent research has shown that milk and dairy products produced from grass-fed cows have significantly greater concentrations of fat, protein and casein, contain significantly higher concentrations of healthy fatty acids and are superior in appearance, flavour and colour compared with milk products derived from confinement systems.
This is exemplified by the premium that is being paid for Kerrygold butter in international markets.
Moorepark 2017
Moorepark 2017 is an ideal opportunity to see at first hand the results of the comprehensive research programme and to meet Teagasc research and advisory staff.
There will be a network of themed villages for farmers to visit on the day, which includes information on breeding, grassland, animal health and milk quality, investing in people, and dairy farm infrastructure.
These will be complemented by a number of demonstrations on grazing management and grassland reseeding and workshops on strategic management, milk quality, new entrants to dairy farming and labour management.
I would like to thank all my Teagasc colleagues who have worked hard to ensure that this dairy open day is a success.
I would also like to thank all the other organisations who partnered with us to participate in this event. I would like to acknowledge the support of the FBD Trust for Teagasc Moorepark 2015.
Moorepark 2017
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