Teagasc have appointed Marion Beecher as programme coordinator for its Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management.

Co Cork native Marion is from a dairy farm background and recently completed a PhD in dairy nutrition. She will be based at Teagasc Moorepark and will liaise closely with learners, host farmers and Teagasc staff involved in the programme and will lead programme promotion and recruitment.

The Irish Farm Managers Association welcomed the appointment. “We are heading into a new and exciting era in dairy farming with enormous opportunities and challenges and only those that are best prepared with all the skillset will reap the benefits,” the organisation’s secretary John Fitzgerald said.

Dr Pat Dillon, head of the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Programme, emphasised the future farm managerial opportunities that will arise in the dairy sector, given the scale of dairy farm expansion that is occurring.

Dr Dillon said: “Meeting the Food Harvest 2020 targets for the dairy sector requires just as much emphasis on developing peoples’ capacity to manage larger dairy herds in a post-quota environment as on dairy facilities and husbandry.’’

The core element of the Teagasc Professional Diploma is two years of professional work experience with approved dairy farmers. Participants are required to spend 12 months on a Teagasc-approved host farm, and then move to a new host. The minimum entry requirement is a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture.

The closing date for applications is Friday 11 July. Application packs are available on the Teagasc website at www.teagasc.ie. Marion Beecher can be contacted at marion.beecher@teagasc.ie or 025 42457