Timely workshops return to Teagasc National Dairy Conference
Taking place on Wednesday, November 25, farmers will have the opportunity to participate in a number of timely workshops at this year’s Teagasc National Dairy Conference.
With the morning session assigned to presentations on building dairy farm resilience and contingency within systems, it is through the afternoon session – which features six workshops – where farmers can engage and discuss with Teagasc researchers, specialists, advisors, farmers and industry representatives on topics relevant to their own farm. Those attending will choose three options from the following six topics:
Workshop 1 – EBI: Proven technology breeding the cow of the future?
Facilitated by Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Stuart Childs, workshop 1 will focus on the importance of the EBI and its role in breeding the cow of the future. Kevin Downing, Dan O’Riordan and Margaret Kelleher, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), will join the discussion.
Workshop 2 – Best practice in farmyard design
Critical to the efficient operation of a dairy farm, workshop 2 will focus on best practice in farmyard design. Facilitated by Patrick Gowing, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, contributors include Seamus Nolan, Teagasc Schemes Support Specialist, and John Moriarty, Teagasc.
Workshop 3 – Troubleshooting dry cow nutrition for a better calving season
Workshop 3, facilitated by Dr. Aisling Claffey, Teagasc Ruminant Nutritionist, and featuring contributions from Fachtna Collins, a farmer from Co. Cork, and Maresa Sheehan, Veterinary Research Officer at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Regional Veterinary Laboratory, will focus on dry cow nutrition, examining the nutritional variables required for a better calving season next spring.
Workshop 4 – Is 14 tonnes DM grass grown still a realistic target?
With profitable dairy farming systems underpinned by grass-based systems, workshop 4 facilitated by the Grass10 team and Professor Michael O’Donovan, Teagasc, will examine realistic targets for grass growth and grazing.
Workshop 5 – Matching people and rostering to farm workload, getting the balance right
With many dairy farms having moved from sole operator to employers, workshop 5 – facilitated by Martina Gormley, Teagasc Dairy Specialist and Liz Duffy, Teagasc Advisor, will centre on matching people and rostering to farm workload, focusing on achieving the correct balance.
Workshop 6 – Using key financial metrics to improve farm profit
After a challenging milk price year, workshop 6 will examine the use of key financial metrics to improve farm profit. Facilitated by James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, and Adrian O’Callaghan, Teagasc Advisor, Cork Dairy farmer and member of the 3C South of Lee Discussion Group, David O’Leary will join the discussion.
Further details and registration
This year’s Teagasc National Dairy Conference will take place in Cork on Wednesday, 25th November. The theme of this year’s conference is “Developing Resilient Dairy Farming Systems”, and is taking place in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island, County Cork.
To find out more and register to attend the Teagasc National Dairy Conference, visit here.