Pathways to progress at the Teagasc National Dairy Conference
Taking place over two days, Wednesday, November 26 in the Talbot Hotel, Clonmel, and on Thursday, November 27 in the Kilmore Hotel, Cavan, the Teagasc National Dairy Conference will tackle some of the pressing issues facing Irish dairy farmers.
Centred on the theme of ‘Pathways to Progress’, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc, Dr. Joe Patton explained: “It has been a reasonably good year for dairy farms with strong early season incomes and relatively good weather, but in the latter half of the year we certainly have seen a downturn in the market. This really focused the mind on the need for good farm performance and certainly on cost control.”
Given this, milk markets and key performance priorities for 2026 will be key themes of the conference. Chris Walkland, a Dairy Market Analyst, will provide a flavour of what’s happening in international markets and the prospects for 2026; Professor Laurence Shalloo and Dr. Joe Patton will examine key performance indicators, shaping their messages to what lessons can be learned from real-farm data, and dairy farmers will share their experiences of using benchmarking to help drive farm performance.
Dr. Patton added: “Big policy decisions also lie ahead that will affect the future viability of dairy farming, particularly in relation to generational renewal and also the nitrates derogation. The conference will hear from Minister Martin Heydon and also from Teagasc Director, Professor Frank O’Mara on these issues.”
Succession and progression
Session two of the Teagasc National Dairy Conference will broach the topic of models for succession and progression in dairy farming. Chaired by Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Martina Gormley, farmers’ experiences of collaborative dairy farming will be shared, while Collaborative Farming Specialist at Teagasc, Ruth Fennell will look in depth at partnerships, profit sharing and leasing options.
“The conference will cover how collaborative options can be used on Irish dairy farms to navigate farm succession options. Hear about farm partnerships, share farming and land leasing and how they can be used to bring the next generation of farmers on board, whether this is in relation to the family unit or outside of the family structure,” Ruth Fennell said in advance of the Teagasc National Dairy Conference.
For more insights as to what to expect at the Teagasc National Dairy Conference, view the below video:
25 years of EBI
The Economic Breeding Index (EBI) has shaped the herds many dairy farmers milk, allowing for more profitable milk production from more fertile cows. As part of the National Dairy Conference, session three will focus on its use to drive further progress in Irish dairy breeding, taking an interactive audience discussion approach on future breeding policies.
Chair of this session and Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Stuart Childs said: “As the EBI approaches its 25th anniversary…Donagh Berry will discuss the transformative effect the EBI has had on the progress of Irish dairy breeding over the last quarter of a century.”
Bite-sized research updates
The final session of the Teagasc National Dairy Conference will provide delegates with an opportunity to hear the latest on Teagasc research in a bite-sized format. Key topics include: practical steps to protecting water quality on dairy farms, controlling dairy production costs in 2026, an update on the Pasture Profit and Clover Indexes, and an update on using the MOST grass prediction model for precision grazing management.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Sarah Walsh, a Research Officer based in Teagasc Moorepark, said: “In the final session of the day, I will update attendees on the Pasture Profit Index and the Clover Profit Index while others will discuss dairy production costs, grass growth prediction and practical steps to address water quality in 2026.”