West Cork based dairy processor Carbery Group and Teagasc Cork west have renewed their ongoing long-term joint programme for dairy farmers for the next five years.

Running since 1998, the objective of the dairy joint programme is to lead and demonstrate the development of sustainable dairy farming in west Cork.

Over almost three decades, the programme has played a key role in driving improvements in farm profitability, grassland management, milk quality and sustainability across the region.

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A strong emphasis will be placed on safeguarding and strengthening the existing milk supply base, while supporting sustainable growth in milk solids production in the new programme.

Improved pasture utilisation, enhanced herd genetic merit, and better herd fertility performance, alongside measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water quality, and promote biodiversity will help this be achieved.

Generational renewal will also be a priority. With the average age of dairy farmers continuing to rise and labour availability becoming increasingly constrained, encouraging the next generation into dairy farming is essential in west Cork.

Long-term sustainability

This will help secure the long-term sustainability of milk production, a sector that contributes significantly to the regional economy.

The programme will support Carbery's farmer shareholders in building profitable, resilient and sustainable farm businesses while responding to evolving environmental, economic and labour challenges.

As we look to the future, our focus is on helping farm families remain profitable, sustainable and resilient

“The joint programme plays a vital role in our advisory programme, guiding the advancement of dairy farming in the region. As an advisory team, we are excited to collaborate with all farmers and members of the broader agricultural community in west Cork throughout the next five years,” Gráinne Hurley, regional advisory manager of Teagasc in Cork west commented.

Carbery Group chair Vincent O’Donovan also welcomed the renewal of the programme, stating: “As we look to the future, our focus is on helping farm families remain profitable, sustainable and resilient while supporting the next generation of dairy farmers. Working together with Teagasc and our co-operatives, we can continue to build a strong future for dairy farming and for rural communities across west Cork.”

Generational renewal

A new addition to the joint programme will be collaboration with the Teagasc GROdairy project. The project seeks to address the critical challenge of generational renewal in the Irish dairy sector, where almost half of farm families do not have an identified successor and young entrants face significant barriers to land access and progression. Two of the farms involved will demonstrate collaborative farming models in real-world farm settings, highlighting financial, technical, and interpersonal dimensions.

The joint programme will be co-ordinated by Don Crowley of Teagasc, supported by the Teagasc dairy, drystock and climate advisory teams in west Cork. The team will collaborate and work closely with Carbery and the advisers and staff in each of the four west Cork co-operatives, Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird.