The Irish Farmers Journal will host National Dairy Day on Thursday 23 November 2017 in Punchestown Event Cenre, Co. Kildare. The event promises to offer solutions for a growing sector. The day aims to showcase all that is good about the dairy industry and find solutions for farmers to emerging challenges and trends.

On the Dairy Day in Punchestown, the chairpersons of some of the biggest Irish processors will attend to describe what they are hearing from their suppliers as views, thoughts and considerations vary from region to region.

There will be two stages active all day with a number of different topics and demonstrations. One stage will feature discussions on topics mainly outside the farm gate, such as future supply and new products globally, while the other stage will tackle demonstrations and new skills.

Session 1: 10am to 11.30am

Topic: What is happening in world markets and how will it affect Ireland?

Craig Bell, US Dairy market analyst, Lettismo director – Setting the US and global scene on dairy.

Greg Gent, dairy farmer and former Fonterra director – What’s happening New Zealand?

Harm Holman, dairy farmer, former FrieslandCampina director – European limits back on?

Joe Gill, dairy analyst – Global supply and demand: what do we need to be mindful of?

Session 2: 11.30am to 1.30pm

Video footage of Irish dairy processing – visiting the new investments and talking to chief executives all around Ireland.

Chief executives answer the key questions:

Gabriel Darcy, CEO LacPatrick; Michael Hanley, CEO Lakeland; Nick Whelan, CEO Dale Farm; Jim Bergin, CEO, Glanbia; Jim Woulfe, CEO, Dairygold; Conor Ryan, CEO, Arrabawn; Edmund Scanlon, CEO, Kerry Group; Aaron Forde, CEO, Aurivo; Dan McSweeney, CEO, Carbery.

Farmers have their say – the chairperson’s panel

Andrew McConkey, LacPatrick; Alo Duffy, Lakeland; John Dunlop, Dale Farm; Henry Corbally, Glanbia; James Lynch, Dairygold; Sean Monahan, Arrabawn; Mundy Hayes, Kerry Co-op; Michael Dowling, Kerry Group; and Pat Duffy, Aurivo; Joe Healy, IFA.

Session 3: 1.30pm to 2.30pm

The wrap session – where is Ireland going or where does it need to go?

Craig Bell, US Dairy market analyst; Kevin Lane, CEO Ornua; and Paul Finnerty, Former ABP CEO, The Yield lab chair.

Afternoon panel discussions

2.30 to 3.30pm: Fake milk, GMO-free milk and new dairy products – what’s on trend?

3.30 to 4.30pm: People in dairy dilemma – What can the industry do?

4.30 to 5.30pm: Dairy policy – What does the dairy industry need to be alert on?

Live demonstrations and discussions on skill changes required if expanding cow numbers

Morning session

10am to 10.30am How to milk properly and more efficiently?

Guest speakers: Padraig O’Connor, Teagasc & Aidan Brennan, IFJ.

10.30am to 11am How to mobility score and body condition score?

Guest speakers: Noel Byrne, Moorepark.

11am to 11.30am Cashflow budgeting – how important?

Guest speakers: Brian and Anne Marie Doheny & Philip. O’Connor

11.30am to 12pm Tools for measuring and managing grass.

Guest speakers: Michael O’Leary, Moorepark & IFJ specialists.

12pm to 12.30pm Time and people management.

Guest speakers: Nollaig Heffernan, Labour Management.

12.30pm to 1pm Modernising farm infrastructure for more cows.

Guest speakers: Brian Ronayne & Bertie Troy, Grasstec.

Afternoon

1pm to 1.30pm Cashflow budgeting – how important?

Guest speakers: Brian and Anne Marie Doheny & Philip O’Connor.

1.30pm to 2pm How to mobility score and body condition score?

Guest speakers: Noel Byrne, Moorepark.

2pm to 2.30pm How to milk properly and milk more efficiently?

Guest speakers: Padraig O’Connor, Teagasc & Aidan Brennan.

2.30pm to 3pm Tools for measuring and managing grass.

Guest speakers: Michael O’Leary, Moorepark & IFJ specialists.

3pm to 3.30pm Time and people management.

Guest speakers: Nollaig Heffernan, Labour Management.

3.30pm to 4pm Modernising farm infrastructure for more cows.

Guest speakers: Brian Ronayne & Bertie Troy, Grasstec.

To get your ticket for the event, simply collect 3 tokens from the Irish Farmers Journal over the next three weeks and bring them along with you on the day or buy your ticket