On pages 28 and 29, Aidan Brennan looks at the various agricultural colleges providing education to young people interested in a career in agriculture.

The role of skilled labour in underpinning dairy expansion is one area that has been overlooked. It is essential that the review of the agricultural education curriculum currently taking place delivers courses that are rooted in teaching students the practical skills necessary to manage a successful farm and gives students a sound understanding of what drives profitability.

Meanwhile, this week’s Focus is on milking equipment. While the mood among dairy farmers is poor due to low milk prices, there is still optimism for the future and new conversions are still taking place. One of the main differences between the current downturn and downturns of the past is that with quotas gone, farmers can sell all the milk they produce, which is definitely helping those who have expanded in recent years.

In Focus, Aidan Brennan questions whether a rotary parlour is a viable option for more dairy farms, Peter Varley outlines common faults with TAMS applications, and Morgan Carty lists the dos and don’ts when cleaning milking equipment.