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Dairygold launched ‘leanfarm’ on the dairy farm of Liam and Gearldine Herlihy near Granagh, Co Limerick today.
The concept of 'lean' is essentially to create a written procedure for various processes around the farm and organise work practises and tools.
Less time looking for implements and clear guidelines on milking and calf rearing etc effectively reduces the time spent doing daily chores.
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Launched by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed the Dairygold the initiative aims to extend the training and benefits of lean manufacturing principles beyond the factory floor to it farmer members. Speaking at the launch the Minister said: "Farmers know its not always about the bottom line but is also about the quality of life.
"If you save more time and have more time to spend with your family then this sort of time is invaluable and allows great thinking space, great head space.
"Hats off to everybody concerned here today. We need to think about the next generation of farmers and we need to make it attractive for new farmers.”
Chief executive of Dairygold Jim Woulfe said: “I am very pleased to bring a Cork Minister across the border into Co Limerick to extend his support and the Department support to the entire process.”
Woulfe thanked the Dairygold board and the Dairygold advisory team for leading the process and organising today’s farm visit.
Over 200 members of the Dairygold team have been trained in lean management.
Last year Dairygold implemented a pilot programme on 15 farms to examine if the reward could be reaped at farm level.
The pilot programme proved so successful that Dairygold has now now launched the widespread roll-out of continuous improvement training to all its members through leanfarm.
Dairygold is one of the first co-operatives in Ireland to pioneer widespread application of lean tools at farm level. Dairygold say this will benefit farmers by helping them to streamline work practices, improve farm safety and create a better work life balance.
Minister Creed with Dairygold Management spent the morning debating the challenges of Brexit for the dairy industry.
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