Knowledge and clarity is key for dairy farmers as the end of milk quotas 2015 approaches, according to Teagasc head of dairy knowledge transfer, Tom O’Dwyer.

Speaking at the launch of the Teagasc planning workbook, which took place at the Moorepark 2013 Open Day yesterday, O’Dwyer said: “We are entering a new era in Irish milk production and while being a technically efficient farmer will be absolutely necessary, it will not be enough in the future. Dairy farmers are going to have to be able to think strategically and tactically and I believe that this workbook will allow farmers to clarify their thinking in relation to key decisions on their farms.”

Speaking on behalf of AIB, who sponsored the publication, AIB agri advisor Donal Whelton welcomed its publication: “AIB is pleased to support the publication of this workbook that will support farmers in making key decisions about their business. The process of completing this workbook will better position farmers for farm planning and indeed discussing their future plans with stakeholders in their business including financial institutions.”

Teagasc financial management specialist, Kevin Connolly, highlighted how it could be used by dairy farmers in advance of the preparation of a full financial plan.

“The planning workbook provides a framework to allow ideas and targets to be worked into a well thought through plan for the business.  This is an essential step in the planning process and gets the groundwork in order to allow a financial plan, complete with cash flow and profit projections, to be built around the plan afterwards in a way that clearly links the financial figures to the physical plans for the business.”

The new Teagasc Business Planning booklet ‘Your Farm, Your Plan: Planning for Your Future’ that is sponsored by AIB was launched at the Moorepark Open Day 2013. It will be available on the Teagasc website.

Teagasc Goldcrop 7

Main picture: At the Teagasc National Dairy Open Day in Moorepark, Fermoy Co Cork where Teagasc and Goldcrop signed a long term agreement which will see Goldcrop market and propagate all forage material coming from the Teagasc Grass and Clover breeding programme for the next 10 years are Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director, Tom Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, John Murphy, CEO Goldcrop & Dr Noel Cawley, Teagasc Chairman.

Pictured at the Teagasc National Dairy Open Day in Moorepark, Fermoy Co Cork where Teagasc and Goldcrop signed a long term agreement which will see Goldcrop market and propagate all forage material coming from the Teagasc Grass and Clover breeding programme for the next 10 years are Dr Frank O’Mara, Director of Research, Teagasc, Donal Fitzgerald, Goldcrop, Dave Barry, Goldcrop, Michael Murphy, Goldcrop, Michael O’Brien, Goldcrop, Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director, Tom Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, John Murphy, CEO Goldcrop & Dr Noel Cawley, Teagasc Chairman.

Photos  O’Gorman Photography