Teagasc: A Cornerstone of Ireland's Dairy Industry

Teagasc, headquartered in Oak Park, Carlow, plays a pivotal role in Ireland's agricultural and food development sector. The organization significantly contributes to the advancement of the dairy industry through its comprehensive suite of research, advisory, and educational services.

Facilities and Research Centers

Teagasc operates several notable research facilities integral to its mission, 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 Indicators

In 2022, Teagasc reported a turnover of approximately €200 million. The organization is primarily funded by the government but also generates revenue through its diverse array of services. The year witnessed a recovery in dairy farm incomes, attributed to a balance between reduced expenses in feed and fertilizers and increased operational costs.

Significant Events

The 2022 annual report highlighted challenges such as a decline in farm incomes due to rising input costs and market volatility. However, dairy farm incomes eventually rebounded. A significant economic report underscored the potential €1.5 billion impact on Ireland's economy if the nitrates derogation were lost, linking environmental regulations with economic stability.

Teagasc hosted several key events, including the "Farming For a Better Future" open day at Johnstown Castle, which presented findings on organic versus conventional farming systems. Additionally, the BEEF2026 event in Co. Meath focused on sustainable performance in the beef industry, showcasing data on the shift towards dairy-origin cattle.

Strategic Initiatives and Future Plans

Teagasc is deeply committed to promoting sustainable farming practices to combat climate change. It invests heavily in research and technology aimed at enhancing productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. The organization seeks to expand its educational programs for farmers and agribusiness professionals and fosters international collaborations for knowledge exchange.

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. The organization also recently introduced the GROdairy programme to address succession on Irish dairy farms, assisting with business planning, communication, and financial training.

Teagasc projects that average milk prices for 2026 will be approximately 20% lower than those of 2025, presenting a substantial challenge to farm incomes. Despite this, tentative signs of milk price stabilization are emerging as summer progresses, with total milk production for 2026 expected to remain similar to that of 2025.

Furthermore, Teagasc, along with Kinisla, launched a renewed joint dairy programme aimed at supporting Kinisla’s milk suppliers with a focus on productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The organization is actively involved in industry discussions about the verification of technology and its integration with sustainability-assurance systems.

Teagasc forecasts that average dairy-farm income will decrease by 49% in 2026. Teagasc estimates that milk cooling, water heating, and milking equipment account for about three-quarters of a dairy farm’s electricity use.

Teagasc is part of a consortium with Dawn Meats and Shinagh Estates, running a 138-hectare calf-to-beef demonstration farm in County Tipperary. Teagasc’s National Farm Survey recorded a substantial increase in average herd size during the decade, highlighting changes in dairy incomes.

Teagasc's winter-feeding recommendations link concentrate allowances to milk output and silage digestibility. Teagasc provides guidance on concentrate requirements based on silage quality and milk production levels. Their recommendations aim to balance feed expenditure with nutritional needs, optimizing the diet for different production levels within a herd.

The housing-weight benchmarks for dairy-beef calves born in spring 2026 are 220kg for heifers and 240kg for steers, according to Teagasc guidance. As winter housing approaches, farmers are advised to weigh calves and compare their performance with these targets.