Stocktake of dairy research needed

A FULL stocktaking of dairy research should be undertaken to gear up farmers for the future, according to the new chairman of the ICMSA Dairy Committee Dominic Cronin.

Mr Cronin said he fully supports targeted and results-directed research, which is required now more than at any time in the past to address and provide solutions for profitable dairy farming into the future.

“However, I am not convinced that the current programme of research has been sufficiently refocused to address the new challenges and opportunities particularly at farm level.

“Dairy farmers currently contribute on a voluntary basis over €1.2 million per annum to Teagasc. I feel it is now appropriate to undertake a root and branch assessment of the spending of this money into the future.”

Mr Cronin said the ICMSA has written to the Director of Teagasc Dr Jim Flanagan on this matter.

Pending the outcome of this stocktaking, the organisation believes a suggested doubling or more of the dairy research levy should be put on hold.

The ICMSA said it is fully aware of the importance of research but Mr Cronin said he believed researchers can become more focused when there is a limit on funding.

He said he was not convinced the more than doubling of the voluntary research levy will yield a doubling of research output.

“If the argument can be sustained for increased funding above the present level, then, as in the past, dairy farmers will respond positively.

“That argument has not been convincingly made to-date,” he said.