First 18 graduate with professional diploma in dairy herd management
The ‘student of the year’ award went to Ciaran Hanrahan, from Co Waterford.
The course stemmed from Food Harvest 2020 recommendations that additional educational opportunities be provided for prospective young dairy-farm managers.
The course blends hands-on, experience-based learning, on top commercial dairy farms, with the input of Teagasc Moorepark dairy researchers, dairy knowledge-transfer specialists and Teagasc teaching staff.
Minister Coveney congratulated the 18 graduates. He said: “The abolition of EU milk quotas, in April, 2015, will offer more employment and career options for people who want to become dairy farmers. Dairy farming is a highly skilled business.
“The future competitiveness of the Irish dairy industry will be dependent on an adequate supply of highly skilled young people entering the industry annually”.
Dr Frank O’Mara, head of research at Teagasc, said; “The programme is very firmly anchored in experience-based learning and would not be possible without the very important commitment from host farmers.”
Teagasc’s head of education, Tony Pettit, thanked University College Dublin, which is the awarding body for the diploma. He advised dairy-farm families to prioritise education.
The high rate of return of investment in agricultural education to the farm family, and to society, is confirmed by both Teagasc and international research.
The rate of return is markedly higher than for other post-second level education courses. Teagasc, through its Level 6 advanced dairy programme and the Teagasc professional diploma in dairy farm management, offers excellent education opportunities for aspiring young dairy farmers.
Tony Pettit invited dairy farm families to discuss their family education needs with Teagasc. Diploma course co-ordinator, Dr Marion Beecher, wished the graduates every success.
