Clonmel conference to address risk assessment for dairy expansion

Risk assessment for dairy expansion will be the key issue addressed by visiting experts at next week’s Positive Farmers Conference hosted by Dairy Ireland in Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

The dairy discussion group’s umbrella body is inviting farmers to email questions by this Friday for the four Irish, British and NZ dairy experts who will address a special forum at the conference, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan 15 and 16, in Clonmel Park Hotel.

“The end of the quota era in 2015 will be the greatest opportunity Ireland has had since joining the EU, but any enthusiasm must be tempered by a focus on the challenges,” said Dairy Ireland chairman David Murphy.

Mr Murphy said next week’s guest speakers all bring vast dairy expansion experience. Kevin Twomey will outline the key issues you need to address as you set yourself up for expansion.

Leonie Guiney (nee Foster) will explain why it is vital to work out the potential profit and return on capital before deciding to avail of an expansion opportunity.

Ed Dale will look at the skills you need to develop when you begin to employ people on your farm.

Kieran Guiney will examine the nuts and bolts of project management, from herd expansion to setting up a complete new dairy unit.

“Any new additions to the herd will take several years to mature, and this is just one of the costs you’ll need to consider,” said David Murphy. “The guest speakers all have huge experience of expansion. They all bring a great understanding of how to assess all of the risks involved in such a significant investment.

This is your chance to learn from the best.”

Dairy Ireland wants discussion groups to meet to brainstorm questions for the guest speakers.

These questions can be emailed to Mike Murphy and Con Hurley at [e-mail], along with a contact for the discussion group.

The three discussion groups with the best questions will receive three free tickets (worth €185 each) to the two-day conference.