Strategic plan envisages increased milk supply
Teagasc Regional Manager Billy Kelleher said a 50% increase in milk solids output, and maximum grass dry matter utilisation per hectare across all enterprises, by promoting grass budgeting, are among the advisory aims for dairy farms.
Key targets also include six week calving on at least 85% of dairy and suckler farms.
Mr Kelleher said, “Our specialised tillage sector will come under increasing pressure to acquire land on conacre. Crop production for fodder will continue as a major enterprise on some of the region’s 1,000 mixed farms.”
Other targets are rapid genetic improvement on suckler and sheep farms; setting up a calf-to-beef monitor farm and a hill sheep “Better Farm”; part-time Green Cert courses for young farmers; increased discussion group participation in all enterprises; completion of the Carbon Navigator on 50% of farms; maximising clients’ GLAS applications; and organising regulatory planning services for farmers to ensure direct payments are protected.
Following a 40% decrease in Teagasc adviser numbers since 2008, and with increasing demand for their services, Teagasc Board member Alan Jagoe warned that advisers are carrying unsustainable workloads and this is putting the achievement of Food Harvest 2020 targets at risk.
