A Taste of West Cork will hold an event to highlight how Irish milk is used once it leaves the farm. The conference will focus on sustainable dairy farming.
The event will look at the profitability and the production of quality milk on Irish farming systems.
The event will take place on Thursday, September 8, in the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen at 8pm.
The conference will also address the current issues facing farmers, and will respond to queries in relation to profitability, efficiency and the production of quality milk.
Speakers at the event include Con Hurley who was the previous dairy editor of the Irish Farmers Journal.
Ornua’s economist Mark Faherty will also be on hand to discuss the current dairy market situation and the development and use of volatility management tools for the sector.
Carbery’s Cheese Sales and Marketing Director, JJ Walsh will identify the importance of cheese as a product and will discuss how the Cork processor takes high-quality milk and turns it in to cheese products.
This has allowed the Cork processor to become the largest cheese producer in the country, as it currently accounts for 30% of Ireland’s total cheese production.
West Cork dairy farmer Alan Kingston will also be present to discuss the situation on the ground and why it was necessary to establish Glenilen Farm with his wife to produce an additional farm income.
He will also discuss the success of this niche dairy producer in recent years, and how it has allowed the business to maximise profit from a small group of 50 cows.
Dunmanway dairy farmer John Hurley will also speak about his 120-cow operation. He will pay particular attention to cow management, grazing efficiency and grass utilisation, milk constituents, milk quality and labour efficiency.