The new programme is focused on preparing milk producers for post 2015 and will be branded as ‘P415: Preparing for 2015’.
The project’s main objectives are to increase grass utilization and milk solids production per cow and per hectare.
“The countdown to the removal of EU milk quotas is well advanced and an increase in milk production on Irish farms is anticipated,” said Jim Bergin, chief executive of Glanbia’s Dairy Ingredients Ireland division.
“Coping with expansion will be challenging and our suppliers will require the knowledge and support, which this joint programme with Teagasc can deliver, to make the necessary decisions regarding their futures.”
A team of 28 Teagasc dairy advisers will deliver the Joint Programme through a network of discussion groups and knowledge transfer events such as farm walks, seminars, and workshops.
There are currently over 1,700 Glanbia suppliers participating in 114 discussion groups across 12 counties.
Other goals of the partnership aim to improve herd fertility, calving pattern and improve cost control.
New dairy innovation centre
In other plans to prepare for the abolishment of quotas Teagasc recently announced that it has founded a new dairy innovation centre in Ireland to accelerate product development work ahead of the changes.
With the prospect of quota restrictions being repealed, the Irish government set a target this time last year for the industry to double milk output over the next 10 years.
In preparation, the Irish Dairy Board (IDB) and the government agency Teagasc have struck up a partnership to support research that may increase the value of Irish dairy exports.
They began with development work on developing new cheese product concepts in 2010.
They have now decided to formalise the relationship through the creation of the dairy innovation centre which would be initially located at IDB’s facilities.