Suzanne Groome

Project Title: Dairy farm employer and employee characteristics

Project Description:

Abolition of the EU milk quota in April 2015 has brought on huge expansion of the Irish dairy industry, which has shown no sign of slowing down. As a result of this expansion, the dairy labour force has been put under severe pressure. There is simply not enough trained labour in the country to meet the demand projected over the next decade.

This is a whole new challenge for farmers who now have to turn to hiring additional labour on their farm. The aim of this study is to unmask what the ‘good’ employers have done that has people wanting to work for them. I hope to achieve this by outlining the process an employer goes through when hiring and examining the characteristics of a ‘good’ dairy farm employer and employee. To conclude this study I will create a profile of behaviours of ‘good’ employers and employees for future use within dairy farm employment.

Location: Nenagh

Teagasc Supervisors:
Pat Clarke, Teagasc, Athenry
Martina Gormley, Teagasc, Athenry

UCD Supervisors: Dr Monica Gorman, UCD.

Download publication: Suzanne Groome June 18 (PDF)