Dairygold and Teagasc launch new Joint Programme to support profitable and sustainable dairy farming
Dairygold and Teagasc have launched a new four-year Joint Programme to support Dairygold Milk Suppliers in building profitable, sustainable and resilient dairy farm businesses. The initiative represents a significant investment in the knowledge, skills and future of dairy farming across the Dairygold catchment area.
Pictured in Buttevant, Co Cork at the launch of the Dairygold and Teagasc new Joint Programme to support profitable and sustainable dairy farming are Majella Moloney, Teagasc Cork East Regional Manager; demonstration farmers Adrian Tanner, Bandon; John Dunne, Ladysbridge; David Tanner, Bandon; host Kieran Kennedy; Stuart Childs, Teagasc Programme Co-Ordinator and Dairy Specialist; Pat Clancy, Dairygold Chairperson; Brendan Hinchion, Dairygold Board Member; Joe Patton, Teagasc Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer; Michael Harte, Dairygold Chief Executive; Orlaith Quigley, Demonstration Farm Coordinator for Teagasc on Joint Programme, Teagasc; Billy Cronin, Dairygold Head of Member Services and Engagement; host Colm Kennedy; Shane O’Donnell, Dairygold Business Manager; Aileen Sheehan, Whitechurch; George Fox, Ballylanders; Philip O’Leary, Whitechurch; Gearóid Slattery, Ballina, Co Tipperary; Conor McSweeney, Aghabullogue; John Fox, Ballylanders and host Beatrice Kennedy. Demonstration farmers, the Tobin family, were unable to attend the launch. Picture: O’Gorman Photography.
Launched on the farm of Kieran and Colm Kennedy, Buttevant, Co. Cork, the programme builds on the partnership between Dairygold and Teagasc, which first commenced in the early 1990s.
Designed to provide practical support to all Dairygold Milk Suppliers, the programme will run until 2029 and focuses on four key priorities: strengthening farm profitability through technical expertise and advisory services; enhancing environmental sustainability; supporting succession planning and long-term farm viability.
Speaking at the launch, Dairygold Chairperson Pat Clancy said:
“The Dairygold Teagasc Joint Programme reflects our long-standing commitment to support our Milk Suppliers and the future of dairy farming. At a time when farmers are managing a wide range of economic, environmental and regulatory challenges, access to trusted advice, practical guidance, and the latest research and learnings from our Demonstration Farms has never been more important.
By combining Teagasc’s research and advisory expertise with Dairygold’s strong supplier network, we can help farmers achieve enhanced business performance while continuing to make progress on sustainability and environmental goals. Importantly, the programme is also focused on supporting the next generation of dairy farmers and helping to secure the future of farming in our region.”
Teagasc Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer Joe Patton added:
“The programme is focused on providing practical, on-the-ground support based on research and science that helps farmers improve farm performance while meeting sustainability goals. It recognises the importance of balancing continued productivity gains with meaningful progress in environmental performance, while also helping farm businesses plan confidently for the future.”
The programme will be delivered through four pillars:
- Demonstration Farm Network – featuring eight farms located across the Dairygold region;
- Technical and business planning services;
- Farm development services, and
- Discussion group support.
The Demonstration Farm Network will play a key role in showcasing productivity gains on farm and overall best practice. Suppliers across the Dairygold region will have opportunities to engage through farm walks, workshops, technical consultations, innovation events, videos and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.
Over the next four years, the programme will support improvements for the Dairygold supplier base in areas such as grass utilisation, milk solids production, breeding performance, fertility and overall farm profitability. It will also help deliver progress in key sustainability areas, including water quality and biodiversity, and provide support for succession planning, young farmers and new entrant development. Working alongside the programme, Dairygold’s advisory team will support the activities and help guide suppliers in implementing the practices and learnings at farm level.
Teagasc Programme Co-Ordinator and Dairy Specialist Stuart Childs said:
“The strength of this programme lies in bringing research, technical expertise and farmer experience together to create opportunities for farmers to learn from one another. Through a combination of on-farm demonstrations, discussion groups, knowledge transfer activities and advisory services, suppliers will gain practical tools and insights to help strengthen the resilience, sustainability and profitability of their farming businesses.”
| Demonstration Farm | Location |
| Aileen Sheehan and Philip O’Leary | Whitechurch, Co. Cork (Mallow Region) |
| Gearoid Slattery | Ballina, Co. Tipperary (Limerick Region) |
| Michael G and Michael J Tobin | New Inn, Cashel, Co. Tipperary (Tipperary Region) |
| Mervyn, David and Adrian Tanner | Bandon, Co. Cork (Mid Cork Region) |
| Conor McSweeney | Aghabullogue, Co. Cork (Mid Cork Region) |
| John, Billy and Noreen Dunne | Ladysbridge, Co. Cork (East Cork Region) |
| Kieran and Colm Kennedy | Buttevant, Co. Cork (Mallow Region) |
| John, Margo and George Fox | Ballylanders, Co. Limerick (Mitchelstown Region) |