Agri Science students gain insights on dairy careers

More than 130 fifth year Agricultural Science students attended a farm walk was held on the farm of Karol Kissane, Ballylongford, Co Kerry.

This farm event was organised as part of the demonstration campaign for the H2020-funded NEFERTITI (Networking European Farms to Enhance Cross Fertilisation and Innovation Uptake through Demonstration) project, hosted by Teagasc in association with IASTA (Irish Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association).

The purpose of this interactive event was to promote dairy farming as a positive career, demonstrate different pathways to becoming a dairy farmer and to increase overall knowledge of dairy farming.

The event stations/demonstrations included: Karol’s farm story; feeding the dairy cow; breeding the dairy cow; milking procedure / where the milk goes; and available courses/careers in dairying.

Students also had the opportunity to get involved in some of the demonstrations that were being displayed. Speakers included Teagasc advisors and researchers, Kerry staff, Dairymaster staff, Doreen Corridan of Munster Bovine, Pallaskenry Ag College education staff and local dairy farmers.

The NEFERTITI project brings together 45 regional clusters in 17 EU countries.