Welcome to the official publication for Dairy Day 2026, showcasing the full line-up of speakers and exhibitors at this annual event organised by the Irish Farmers Journal.
All roads lead to the UL Arena in Limerick again this year on Saturday 14 November for a packed event of fora and exhibits, guaranteed to provide fresh impetus for our dairy industry.
Combining two stages with talks from leading farmers and industry speakers from Ireland and overseas, together with a mix of trade stands and exhibits, Dairy Day 2026 promises to be a formative event for farmers, industry representatives and exhibitors alike.
The Irish dairy sector has been transformed over the past 15 years, doubling milk fat and protein output while enhancing total sectoral value by 35% since 2017 alone.
Core success
At the core of this success story are over 16,000 family-owned dairy farms, producing over 8.5 billion litres of milk each year and supporting over 60,000 jobs across the rural economy. The unique nutritional quality and character of pasture-fed dairy products has been a cornerstone of the growing demand for Irish dairy in more than 140 premium markets worldwide.
While family farm income volatility is a significant feature of the expanded dairy industry, average dairy family farm income has increased substantially in recent years and provides a clear indication of the strong economic return from investment on Irish dairy farms.
At the same time, the industry faces significant challenges in terms of regulatory requirements, international trade uncertainties and bringing through a new generation of talented dairy farmers.
Average dairy family farm income has increased substantially in recent years
While the current profitability of the sector has created the opportunity for family farms to continue to innovate, we need to continue to develop and adapt our unique farming system for the future.
Dairy Day 2026 is designed for dairy farmers to see how dairy farms will evolve over the next decade and the international trends shaping our future. After a difficult year of falling milk prices and a widespread summer drought, reduced profit margins in 2026 will be an important moment to reset.
Farmers are looking for guidance on what management practices and technical solutions are available to simplify workload, improve efficiency and reduce operating costs on dairy farms. Dairy Day 2026 will address all of these challenges and look at a range of opportunities to strengthen dairy farm businesses in the longer term.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the farmers and industry speakers who are contributing their time and expertise to this unique event. Finally, can I also thank our sponsors, Bord Bia, Ornua and Alltech for their support and the support of the wider industry in making Dairy Day 2026 what it is.
