Securing a Sustainable Future is the theme for this year’s Moorepark’23 – Teagasc National Dairy Open Day, which takes place on Tuesday, July 4, in Fermoy, Co. Cork. All are welcome to attend.
Since milk quota removal was first discussed, the dairy industry has gone through a transformation. This has occurred against the backdrop of an economic crisis, a global pandemic and a war in Europe.
It is now important to take stock of the next phase of development for the dairy industry as a whole.
Future developments will require close alignment with EU and national policy objectives. A particular focus is needed on:
- Reducing carbon emissions;
- Improving animal welfare;
- Better water and air quality;
- Greater biodiversity.
At the same time it is necessary to generate financially rewarding career opportunities with a favourable work-life balance.
What’s happening on the day?
Moorepark’23 will highlight the various technologies and practices available to farmers to underpin the economic, environmental and social sustainability credentials of their farms.
The first four boards of the day will focus on sustainability challenges; profitable systems; breeding and reproduction and grassland, where you will get the opportunity to hear the latest results of the comprehensive, broad spectrum research programmes undertaken by Teagasc.
This will be followed by technology villages where there is an opportunity to meet research, advisory, education staff and industry partners. The villages will be themed around:
- Grass10 – Grazing Demo:
- This village will take you through using white clover to optimise performance; maximising grass utilisation and animal production; and measuring covers on grass white-clover swards.
- Grassland Village:
- In this village, view a demonstration on different fertiliser types, white and red clover, and hear about the model that predicts daily grass growth depending on weather conditions and management, the MoSt Grass Growth Model.
- Signpost Village:
- Find out all about the Signpost Programme – Farmers for Climate Action, and the new sustainable digital platform, the AgNav Platform, developed by Teagasc, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), and Bord Bia. Hear about enteric methane emissions and carbon sequestration and managing and improving biodiversity and water quality.
- One Health, One Welfare Village:
- Learn more about cow and calf nutrition, health and welfare, herd health, milk recording and mastitis control. In addition, this village will deal with milk quality and chlorine-free cleaning.
- Breeding and Reproduction Village:
- Hear about the economic breeding index (EBI – Carbon, Beef, Health) and the Next Generation Herd, DairyBeef500 programme, Dairy-Beef Trilogy: Dairy Beef Index (DBI), Sire Advice and Commercial Beef Value (CBV). Optimising sexed-semen use.
- Working Effectively Village:
- Make the most of your resources, time and effort by learning time management skills and labour efficient practices. If you entered the ‘This is Dairying’ competition drop by and view your photo on display.
- Infrastructure Village:
- There will be roadways and water system designs on display. Also, this village will look at energy use efficiency and renewable energy.
- Skills Village:
- Take the opportunity to brush up, or upskill, on a range of techniques; three key areas – animal, milk testing and machinery with 15-minute live practical sessions.
Displays, discussions, and demos
Live interactive demonstrations will feature prominently at the dairy open day on July 4.
Watch and listen to demonstrations on topics such as grazing management; reseeding; low emission slurry spreading; fertiliser type; white clover/mixed species swards; calibration of fertiliser spreaders; farm infrastructure; locomotion scoring; body condition scoring; milk quality; calf rearing; high-DBI genetics; and health and safety.
In addition, there will be workshops from Ornua and the National Dairy Council (NDC) with Milk Quality Award winners discussing their farming experience.
The open day will end with a forum which will focus on the key industry challenge of ‘People in the Dairy Industry’. The forum will begin at 3:00p.m and will be addressed by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.
The forum will look at the wide range of opportunities, as well as various career pathways, in the dairy industry and will feature a number of students, farm managers, young farmers and established farmers who will discuss their journey within the dairy industry.
Lots to learn at Moorepark’23
Teagasc provides a combination of research, advisory and education functions. Staff from all sections of the organisation will be present at the open day to discuss the range of farmer advisory services, and supports and schemes available, as well as the range of education opportunities available through Teagasc.
Attendees can discuss career opportunities on a one-to-one basis with teachers and representatives from the agricultural colleges.
Key industry experts from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine; ICBF; Animal Health Ireland; Ornua; Bord Bia; the NDC; and the Health and Safety Authority will be present on the day.
Researchers and farmers from the Netherlands, France, Germany and New Zealand will discuss their experiences of farming under current agricultural policies, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing dairy farmers in their respective countries.
Find out more information about the open day by clicking here.
