Dairygold to host Free Dairy Farming Conference – “A Positive Future” in Corrin Event Centre, Fermoy

Dairygold Co-Operative Society is hosting a Dairy Farming – “A Positive Future” Conference next Friday, 19^th January, in the Corrin Event Centre in Fermoy.  The conference, free to all famers, will assemble expert speakers to cover three key topics; Milk Quality, Market Outlook & Sustainability, and Nitrates and Water Quality.

The conference aims to inspire positive change, and to encourage a more sustainable future for the Irish Dairy Industry. A panel discussion including Dairygold Milk Suppliers, facilitated by Professor Karina Pierce (UCD), will follow each topic.

The conference element will take place from 11am until 3pm. There will also be over 30 trade stands with experts available showcasing a wide selection of the latest in agricultural products, technology and services. The stands will be open from 10am. Refreshments will be served and there will be prizes and giveaways on the day.

Encouraging all milk suppliers to attend, Dairygold Head of Supply Chain Billy Cronin said “Following on from the launch of the Grassroots Milk Supplier Sustainability Bonus in 2023, Dairygold is aiming to highlight the positive aspects to dairy farming.  After a challenging year in 2023 we are keen to give our Milk Suppliers positive encouragement for the milk production year ahead and we believe that we have an excellent line up of industry speakers and dairy farmers.”

Conference Speakers

Milk Quality

Don Crowley, Teagasc Milk Quality Specialist, and Martin Kavanagh of Munster Bovine will discuss practical strategies to promote Somatic Cell Count (SCC) management and ways to optimise overall herd health.

Market Outlook and Sustainability

Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council, Pat Laffan, Head of Dairy Commercial at Dairygold and Orlaith Tynan, Head of Sustainability at Dairygold will provide a comprehensive analysis of the Irish Dairy Industry, sharing insights into the new challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

Nitrates and Water Quality

Ted Massey, Chief Inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Ruth Hennessy, LAWPRO, Noel Meehan, Teagasc ASSAP Manager, and Ciara Donovan, Dairygold Farm Sustainability, will explore the innovations, technologies and practices that help to mitigate and protect the environmental impact of dairy farming.