In 2015 about 15% more milk was produced in Ireland compared to the previous year. While the volumes are small relative to global supply, such an increase for Ireland is exceptional and reflects the “pent-up will to supply” milk for processing on Irish dairy farms that have been waiting for the quota brakes to be released for the last 30 years.

In just one year (and really just from end of March) the country has gone a long way to fulfilling the output targets of Food Harvest 2020 – an extra 50% in output.

Given the milk price predictions, it is likely the percentage increase will not be as great in 2016. Nevertheless, dairy farmers have planned for extra production, as there are extra dairy replacements on Irish dairy farms. Milk processors have also planned for this new milk flow and have created – or are creating – new businesses with new product lines.

This extra milk means investment is required on dairy farms, extra services are required by dairy farmers, and new companies will emerge for those selling inputs into the sector.

The service sector around dairy farming is large and varied. For new and developing farms, the whole area of construction provides a huge volume of jobs and many ag science graduates are involved in planning, developing, researching and carrying out on-farm developments.

Companies like Dairymaster, De Laval, Lely, Pearson Milking Technology and Charleville Refrigeration are all involved in supplying milking equipment to dairy farmers and all are very active at the moment. They are developing new business and creating new opportunities for young graduates, either from an agricultural science background or an engineering/construction background.

When it comes to the input sector servicing the extra cows and extra numbers of young stock on farms, there are many ag science graduates involved in the business, and new opportunities will arise in 2016.

Milk recording, data collection, feed and mineral suppliers, animal health remedies, and animal breeding companies will all see increased business in 2016 as a result of extra stock on Irish dairy farms.

Traditionally, the banking sector and farm accounts side of the dairy farm business have been a strong employer of good young ag science graduates.

In the past year we have seen AIB strengthen their agri-support team for farmers and we have seen Bank of Ireland create a whole new team of agri specialists that will principally be working with dairy farmers. Ulster Bank also have key agri specialists that work primarily with dairy farmers.

If you are interested in a career in the agri-industry, come along to the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair, which takes place in the RDS on 3 March 2016. For more information, click here.