QUESTIONS will be answered on the future and current status of the agriculture sector at Teagasc Moorepark in Fermoy, County Cork on Thursday, June 18.
The organisation is holding a National Open Day for the Irish dairy industry and it will be an ideal opportunity for all stakeholders in the Irish dairy industry to view up to date results from the comprehensive dairy research programme and discuss solutions to the many challenges facing dairy farmers in 2009 with Teagasc research and advisory staff.
Like the rest of the economy, the dairy sector faces significant difficulties in 2009 adjusting to recession and falling world prices. Despite the current economic difficulties, the outlook in the medium term is positive due to significant world demand for dairy products based on increasing world population and economic growth in developing countries.
At the same time, due to changes in the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), the dairy sector will soon face an opportunity, for the first time in a generation, to expand.
The dairy industry is one of the most important sectors of Irish Agriculture, accounting for 30 % of output. It is a major contributor to exports, as the 10th largest exporter of dairy products in the world. With the highest margins, dairy has a relatively greater opportunity for expansion and thus can help Ireland to realise future export led growth.
The 2009 milk production season is putting severe financial pressure on dairy farmers through a combination of low milk prices and poor weather conditions.
Moorepark ’09 will provide farmers with clear guidelines to manage the current situation while highlighting a new direction for profitable milk production in a volatile milk price environment.
On the day, key technologies requiring adoption at farm level will be highlighted which include earlier and more compact calving patterns, higher grass utilisation, increased numbers of high EBI replacements, dairy herd disease control, enhanced perennial rye-grass pastures, low cost labour efficient farm infrastructures and the importance of financial planning.
A new grassland manual will be launched at the Open Day to help dairy farmers gain better skills in grazing management. This grassland manual is designed to help grassland farmers adopt these technologies at farm level. Visitors on the day will also be addressed by leading dairy farmers in a unique conference entitled ‘Surviving 2009 and beyond’, while an extensive display of practical demonstrations, products and services has also been organised.
The new ‘Dairy Business Degree’, a joint collaboration between UCD and Teagasc, will also feature on the day.
The support of FBD Trust, the overall sponsor of Moorepark ’09 Open Day, is greatly appreciated. The open day runs from 10.00am - 5.00pm. A comprehensive booklet will be provided. Admission and parking is free.
