Dairygold and Teagasc have launched a four-year Joint Programme to support Dairygold Milk Suppliers in building profitable, sustainable, and resilient dairy farm businesses across the Dairygold catchment area, running until 2029.

As reported by Teagasc, the programme was launched at the farm of Kieran and Colm Kennedy in Buttevant, County Cork, and builds on a partnership between Dairygold and Teagasc that began in the early 1990s. It will be delivered through a Demonstration Farm Network of eight farms across the Dairygold region, alongside technical and business planning services, farm development services, and discussion group support.

Pat Clancy, Chairperson of Dairygold, said: "At a time when farmers are managing a wide range of economic, environmental and regulatory challenges, access to trusted advice, practical guidance, and the latest research and learnings from our Demonstration Farms has never been more important. 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."

Joe Patton, Teagasc Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, said the programme recognises the importance of balancing continued productivity gains with meaningful progress in environmental performance, while also helping farm businesses plan confidently for the future.

Stuart Childs, Teagasc Programme Co-Ordinator and Dairy Specialist, said: "The strength of this programme lies in bringing research, technical expertise and farmer experience together to create opportunities for farmers to learn from one another."

Over the four-year period, the programme will target improvements across grass utilisation, milk solids production, breeding performance, and overall farm profitability, alongside progress on water quality and biodiversity. Support for succession planning, young farmers, and new entrant development forms a dedicated strand of the initiative.

Suppliers across the Dairygold region will engage through farm walks, workshops, technical consultations, innovation events, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing activities anchored in the Demonstration Farm Network.