Teagasc: A Cornerstone of Ireland's Dairy Industry

Teagasc, headquartered in Oak Park, Carlow, stands as a pivotal entity in Ireland's agricultural and food development sector. The organization operates several notable research facilities, including the Moorepark Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Fermoy, Co. Cork, the Teagasc Food Research Centre in Ashtown, Dublin, and the Environment Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.

Financial Performance

In 2022, Teagasc reported a turnover of approximately €200 million. Although primarily funded by the government, the organization generates revenue through its advisory, research, and educational services. The report highlighted a recovery in dairy farm incomes due to reduced expenses in feed and fertilizers despite increased operational costs.

Significant Events

The 2022 annual report from Teagasc noted a decline in farm incomes due to rising input costs and market volatility. However, dairy farm incomes eventually rebounded. A significant economic report discussed the potential €1.5 billion impact on Ireland's economy if the nitrates derogation were lost, emphasizing the link between environmental regulations and economic stability.

Strategic Initiatives

Teagasc is committed to promoting sustainable farming practices to combat climate change. The organization invests in research and technology to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. It seeks to expand its educational programs for farmers and agribusiness professionals, fostering international collaborations for knowledge exchange. Teagasc also supports integrating low-carbon power with dairy production.

Notable Insights and Events

Professor Olivia McAuliffe has emphasized the importance of reusing dairy by-products, aligning with Teagasc's sustainability goals. The Teagasc National Dairy Conference is a vital platform for discussing industry challenges and opportunities. The organization is involved in research on milk drying technology and recombined dairy products.

Teagasc conducted a study at its Moorepark facility on the risks of feeding waste milk to calves, identifying potential health concerns, particularly antimicrobial resistance. The organization is engaged in improving water quality initiatives in dairy farming, with Dr. Pat Dillon, director of research, urging Irish dairy farmers to enhance their efforts to lead Europe in sustainable, profitable grass-based dairy farming.

Teagasc held a "Farming For a Better Future" open day at Johnstown Castle, presenting findings on organic versus conventional farming systems using data from the 2024 Teagasc National Farm Survey. The organization emphasizes grass growth management and accurate data collection for informed decision-making.

In response to the growing interest in organic dairy farming, Teagasc's organic team is organizing farm walks across Ireland to provide insights into profitability and reduced input dependence. Additionally, Teagasc and other organizations hosted an event showcasing the Ryan family's dairy farm practices.

Teagasc hosted the BEEF2026 event in Co. Meath, focusing on sustainable performance in the beef industry and presenting data on the shift towards dairy-origin cattle. It organizes events to showcase the successful integration of breeding and genetics in agriculture, reporting a surge in Irish dairy farm incomes. The Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) for 2025 revealed that the average family farm income on Irish dairy farms reached €153,319, a 41% increase from 2024, covering 15,131 dairy farms with an average size of 69 hectares.

Teagasc projects that average milk prices for 2026 will be approximately 20% lower than those of 2025, posing a substantial challenge to farm incomes. Although there are tentative signs of milk price stabilization as summer progresses, Teagasc expects 2026's total milk production to remain similar to that of 2025.

Teagasc is involved in the FarmElevate programme, launched by Tirlán and Teagasc as a farmer-led knowledge-transfer programme. It also manages the Agricultural Catchments Programme, with its base at Johnstown Castle in County Wexford.

Teagasc, along with Kinisla, introduced a renewed joint dairy programme to support Kinisla’s milk suppliers, focusing on productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The programme was formally launched at Teagasc Moorepark last week. The original joint programme began about 30 years ago.