End of milk quota ‘means significant opportunities’
The event follows the abolition of milk quotas and will provide guidance to farm families on how to assess farm businesses and plan expansion.
Announcing the event details, Gerry Boyle, director of Teagasc, said the abolition of milk quotas provides dairy farmers with significant opportunity for expansion.
However, Prof Boyle advised that production expansion should only be planned if it is going to result in increased farm profitability and an improved livelihood for the farm family.
‘Sustainable Expansion’ will be the theme of Teagasc Moorepark 15, the major dairy event in the Irish agricultural calendar this year.
It will take place against an expectation that the world demand for dairy products will increase in the coming decade due to population growth and increases in per capita disposable income, especially in developing countries.
Teagasc says Ireland can exploit its competitive advantage in milk production but increasing herd size will place added pressure on the management capability of dairy farmers.
It says the initial period of expansion is precarious, as additional capital investment is required and farm performance is frequently below par. Dairy farmers will need a broad range of skills to allow improved technical performance.
The open day will provide dairy farmers and those involved in the industry with the opportunity to view and discuss the latest developments in key technologies.
These will help farmers to increase the profitability of the family farm business and cope with challenges such as volatile milk prices.
The event will highlight the importance of adopting systems that are resilient to external forces, and that incorporate sufficient tactical flexibility to overcome unanticipated events.
With a growing number seeking to enter dairy farming, the ‘village’ for New Entrants to Dairying will be of particular interest.
A forum on developing a successful career in dairying will include a panel with a range of experience while a publication, ‘Stepping Stones to a Career in Dairy Farming’, will be available.
