The Teagasc liquid milk conference will be taking place on Wednesday, October 1, in Co. Wexford. The morning seminar is themed ‘The future for winter milk in a post quota environment’ and takes place in the Ferrycarraig Hotel in Co. Wexford.

Commencing at 10.45 am the conference will look at the economic cost for different models of winter milk production and the Northern Ireland experience of the drivers of feed cost in a quota-free environment. Two dairy farmers, Glenn Forde, Innishannon, Co. Cork and Larry Hannon, Ballitore, Co. Kildare will give their perspective on the future for winter milk production post 2015.

Teagasc Liquid Milk specialist Joe Patton described the impending abolition of milk quotas as a game changer with regard to the opportunity cost of year-round milk production. He said simple, repeatable dairy farming systems are best placed to exploit growth opportunities post quota, and that liquid milk producers will have to review their future plans in this context.

The afternoon session of the conference is an outdoor practical session at the Teagasc Johnstown Castle winter milk research herd. This will look at the feeding management for winter milk herds; Preventing lameness during the indoor period; Getting soil fertility right and labour saving for winter milk systems.