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 co-op has said that the initiative represents a significant investment in the knowledge, skills and future of dairy farming across the Dairygold catchment area.

The programme was launched on the farm of Kieran and Colm Kennedy in Buttevant, Co Cork, and builds on the partnership between Dairygold and Teagasc, which first commenced in the early 1990s.

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The programme will run until 2029 and it is designed to give practical support to Dairygold suppliers.

It will focus on four key priorities: strengthening farm profitability through technical expertise and advisory services; enhancing environmental sustainability; supporting succession planning and long-term farm viability.

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.
  • Discussion group support.

    • Demonstration farm network

    The demonstration farm network will play a key role in showcasing productivity gains on farm and overall best practice and suppliers will have opportunities to engage through farm walks, workshops, technical consultations, innovation events, videos and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.

    “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,” Dairygold chair Pat Clancy commented.

    “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,” he said.

    “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," said head of dairy knowledge transfer at Teagasc Joe Patton.

    "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.”