Dairy farmers are now doing the business in college

BUSINESS leadership, strategy and organising – these are the invaluable skills which are now being infused into 20 dairy farmers, plucked from the farmyard into the lecture halls of University College Cork.

They are part of the continuing effort by ICOS, UCC and Enterprise Ireland to fashion farmer directors of dairy co-operatives and co-operative PLCs, equipped to play more influential and effective roles in their businesses.

The latest director development programme specifically tailored for dairy co-operatives has just been launched. It is being run by Mike Feeney, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland. Speaking at the launch he said a major focus of the programme will be the strategic analysis of the dairy industry.