Kinisla and Teagasc launch ‘Innovating for Success’ Joint Dairy Programme
Thirty-year collaboration moves forward to support Kinisla milk suppliers through the next phase of dairy development
Pictured in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork at the launch of the Kinisla and Teagasc ‘Innovating for Success’ Joint Dairy Programme are Dr Joe Patton, Teagasc, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer; James Tangney, Chairman Kinisla, Richard Chute, Kinisla Chief Financial Officer; Pat Murphy, Chief Executive Kinisla, Seán McCarthy, Sustainability Manager Kinisla, Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director; James O’Connell, Kinisla Agri Business General Manager and Nora O’Donovan, Teagasc Kerry/Limerick Regional Manager. Picture: O’Gorman Photography.
TEAGASC MOOREPARK, September 4 – Kinisla and Teagasc have launched a renewed three-year Joint Dairy Programme, ‘Innovating for Success’ reaffirming a long-standing partnership focused on strengthening the technical performance, profitability and sustainability of Kinisla milk suppliers.
The programme was officially launched at Teagasc Moorepark attended by Kinisla milk suppliers, Teagasc and industry stakeholders.
The original Joint Dairy Programme was among the pioneers of peer-led knowledge transfer in Irish dairying. Building on a partnership that spans more than 30 years, the renewed programme, Innovating for Success, will continue to provide Kinisla milk suppliers with practical, on-farm learning and access to the latest research and technical advice.
The new programme comes at an important time for dairy farmers, with continued technical progress essential to maintaining competitiveness. Kinisla milk suppliers have increased output over the past decade, supported by growth in herd size and investment on farms.
The renewed programme will focus on improving pasture utilisation, herd genetic merit and fertility, financial management and labour efficiency. It will also support farmers in improving water quality, reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity and planning for generational renewal.
The programme will be delivered through three key strands: an Innovation Farm Network, Dairy Business Performance Workshops and a Resilient Grazing Systems Pillar. Innovation Farms will showcase leading practices and technologies, providing practical examples that can be shared across the wider supplier base.
The programme will link closely with Teagasc’s GROdairy project to demonstrate innovative farm succession business structures. Working closely with the Kinisla Evolve RegenDairy programme, the Joint Dairy Programme will provide a series of technical workshops and individual farm consultations. It will also collaborate with the Signpost Programme, Better Farming for Water and ASSAP to support suppliers in their efforts to enhance farm environmental sustainability.
James O’Connell, Kinisla Director of Agribusiness & Sustainability, said:
“Our milk suppliers are at the heart of our business, and this long-standing partnership with Teagasc provides an important platform to support their continued personal and business development. We want every supplier to have access to practical knowledge and the opportunity to improve their farm business for the future. Today’s impressive turnout at Moorepark demonstrated the strong interest among Kinisla milk suppliers in science-led farming solutions.”
James Tangney, Chairman of Kinisla added:
“This partnership has delivered real value for Kinisla milk suppliers over many years. Innovating for Success will help ensure they are well placed to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead”
Nora O’Donovan, Teagasc Kerry Limerick Regional Manager, said:
“The strength of this partnership has always been its practical, farmer-focused approach. The next three years will build on that foundation by bringing the latest research, technology and farm experience directly to Kinisla milk suppliers.”
Joe Patton, Head of Teagasc Dairy Knowledge Transfer, added:
“Constant technical progress is essential if dairy farms are to remain profitable, resilient and sustainable. This programme will help farmers translate innovation into action on their own farms. The participation of the Innovation Farmers is vital to the programme, and we are very grateful to them for sharing their knowledge and expertise with their Kinisla milk supplier peers.”
Pictured in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork at the launch of the Kinisla and Teagasc ‘Innovating for Success’ Joint Dairy Programme are Richard Chute, Kinisla Chief Financial Officer; Dr Joe Patton, Teagasc Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer; James Tangney, Chairman Kinisla; Pat Murphy, Chief Executive Kinisla; Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director, Nora O’Donovan, Teagasc Kerry/Limerick Regional Manager; James O’Connell, Kinisla Agri Business General Manager and Seán McCarthy, Sustainability Manager Kinisla. Picture: O’Gorman Photography.