Dairygold and Teagasc launch €1m post-quota dairy farm programme
Farmers will be invited to follow the expansion plans of four demonstration farms — a family farm growing from 60 cows up to 90 cows; a new entrant with up to 90 cows; a family farm rising from 100 to 150 cows; and a large herd operation with a new entrant collaboration model.
Dairygold chief executive, Jim Woulfe, said: “The core objective of this programme is to work with the tremendous resource that is Teagasc to help our milk suppliers achieve their dairy expansion ambitions but do so in a manner that is sustainable for them, their families, their herds and the society.
“We also recognise that our suppliers are at various different stages of development and we have designed the programme to demonstrate a variety of expansion scenarios.
“ I would encourage every Dairygold supplier to participate in this programme focused on delivering real benefits.”
Suppliers will gain better access to the latest technologies and research from Teagasc.
This latest joint initiative was launched on the farm of Dairygold supplier Oliver Looney in Mallow, Co Cork. Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the farm models would be invaluable to Dairygold suppliers who predict they will increase their milk output by 57% between 2011 and 2020.
Director of Teagasc, Prof Gerry Boyle, highlighted the importance of working with Dairygold to increase the likelihood of the adoption of research-proven practices by its milk suppliers.
