Teagasc in Co Mayo started a 25-hour Introduction Course to Dairy Farming, one year in advance of the abolition of milk quotas. This date clearly marks a new beginning for many farmers in the Mayo region who are opting for a career in dairy farming. The course will be delivered in the Teagasc office, Claremorris.
Teagasc Mayo, in conjunction with Aurivo Co-op, will focus this course for new entrants to dairying and will examine all relevant items such as: establishment costs for a dairy herd, grassland management, soil fertility, breeding, replacement heifer management, milk quality, setting up your farm, visits to local monitor farms. As part of the course, all participants will have a full 6-year Business Plan completed for them, which will be extremely beneficial if requiring finance from financial institutions.
The course will be delivered by local Teagasc Business and Technology Dairy advisers, Peter Comer and Brendan Garry along with the Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Pat Clarke. During the course, speakers from Aurivo Co-op will outline to participants the requirements that are being sought from new suppliers. This course is the first major event that is part of the New Joint Programme between Teagasc and Aurivo Co-op which was recently announced.