Dairy leaders gather to discuss industry trends

West Cork is the venue for a celebration of dairy farming excellence this Friday, with a morning seminar followed by farm walk on an award-winning dairy farm.

The National Dairy Council is to host a seminar entitled ‘Promoting Irish Dairy Excellence’, to be opened by Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.

Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin will join speakers from Ornua/Kerrygold, Teagasc and the national judging panel for the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Speakers will include Teddy Cashman, NDC chairman; Jeanne Kelly, Ornua head of corporate communications; Tom O’Dwyer, Teagasc head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer.

NDC awards judging panel member Jack Kennedy of the Irish Farmers Journal will outline what the judges are seeking from finalists.

The venue for the seminar is Goleen, Co Cork, from 11.15am. Pre-registration is required for the seminar.

Teagasc is to host a farm walk from 2pm to 4pm. This will take place on the farm of Kieran, Catherine and Cathal O’Sullivan, Dunmanus, Goleen, 2015 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk awardwinners.

The walk will conclude with a forum discussion on the farm. Registration is not required for the farm walk.