Nitrates, milk prices and TB top of the agenda at this year’s National Dairy Show
Noel C Duggan with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD at the 43rd National Dairy Show at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told dairy farmers that his government will continue to press the European Commission on the future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation as one of its “key priorities.”
It comes just days after Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon announced that European Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall has accepted his invitation to visit Ireland to see first-hand the work being carried out by farmers to protect water quality.
At the ringside, at the National Dairy Show, which takes place in Millstreet, Cork, this weekend, the commentator quipped that it was probably the first time the Taoiseach had been asked to “prick his ears” in a photograph, as he paused for a picture alongside one of this year’s cattle entries.
In his address, as he officially opened the event, Mr Martin said Ireland was in a “prime position” to meet the growing nutritional needs of the world.
“We have to do it in a sustainable way,” he said. “We are renowned for our work on bovine genetics and technology — and we have the capacity to deliver.
“We know the nitrates derogation is a key priority for Ireland. Our grass-based livestock production systems are a cornerstone of vital agri-food export markets that we have developed. We will continue to work with the Commission to get the best outcome for Ireland that we can into the future,” he said.
Laurence Feeney, Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) chief executive, said the 2025 show had got off to a strong start.
“It’s been a really strong year. We have had an excellent entry of cattle — numbers are up on previous years and the standard of showmanship has been very high. There are also more trade stands this year, and we are back in the main arena again, so we have a bit more space.
“Dairy farmers are generally in good spirits. The milk price has been strong but has started to fall, so there is some concern around that — but overall, the mood is very good.”
As the premier gathering for the dairy industry, the show is more than just a showcase of top-quality dairy cattle, hosting Ireland’s largest specialised dairy trade exhibition, featuring leading exhibitors in fields such as AI, animal health, breeding, dairy agritech, milking equipment, robotics, livestock machinery, finance, dairy services, nutrition, soil and land management.
For many dairy farmers, the show represents a rare day away from the farm. While milk prices and the nitrates derogation dominated much of the discussion this year, the recent TB Action Plan was another key talking point among farmers.
“I think most people, and certainly we, would be happy to see new proposals coming in and a bit of ambition to do something about it,” Mr Feeney said.
“But there is nuance in that, in that some proposals could hinder farmers whose herds have recently broken down with TB - often through no fault of their own," he added.
