21st December 2022

21st December coverage
21/12/2022

Table of Contents

Topic: NDC Waterford News & Star:
Dairy remains a firm favourite...................................................................................................... 3
20/12/2022 Daily Mirror Eire:
21/12/2022 It's Donal's fabulous family Christmas.......................................................................................... 4
18/12/2022 Tipp FM - Ag-report with Jim Finn:
21/12/2022 Zoe Kavanagh - Chief Executive Officer - National Dairy Council................................................... 6
20/12/2022 Irish Daily Star:
20/12/2022 Donal’s gingerbread pancakes ...makes 16................................................................................... 7
breakingnews.ie:
20/12/2022 Dairy farmers are keen to be green...............................................................................................8
20/12/2022 The Irish Times:
19/12/2022 Irish farmers are following expert advice to become more sustainable and reduce the carbon
hoofprint of a litre of milk............................................................................................................. 8
Irish Times:
Dairy farmers are keen to go green.............................................................................................. 9
Irish Examiner:
Dairy farmers are keen to be green.............................................................................................10
Shelflife:
Research shows dairy products remain a popular part of mealtimes...........................................11

Meta data (extended)................................................................................................................. 12

2

Waterford News & Star | 20/12/2022

Media Source Press Page 52
Circulation 6,128

Dairy remains
a firm favourite
NEW research shows that to be a treasured part of mate action targets by
dairy continues to remain the diets of Munster con- 2030 and achieving a
a firm favourite among sumers and features reduction in agriculture
Munster consumers, with prominently at mealtimes emissions of 25%. It is a
94% saying dairy features in households across the challenge but one that
in their diet and almost province. Consumers rec- dairy is embracing; con-
three quarters believing ognise the taste, quality scious of the significant
meals would not be the and flavour provided by milestones that need to be
same without their favour- dairy products. Further to achieved collectively in
ite dairy products. this, the findings demon- both the short and longer
strate the role dairy farm- term. The research reflects
Milk, cheese and ers play as food producers an awareness by consum-
yoghurt feature promi- providing healthy, nutri- ers of the work undertaken
nently at mealtimes in tious and high-quality so far and the efforts
households across the dairy products. The find- underway to ensure all
country, according to find- ings demonstrate the dairy farmers are reaching
ings of national research of esteem in which consum- and maintaining a high
1,500 Irish adults by the ers hold our indigenous standard of environmental
European Milk Forum dairy industry.” sustainability.
(EMF) as part of its “Dairy
in a Healthy and Sustaina- Ms Kavanagh said that “Munster consumers
ble European Food Sys- while the research findings are focused on the climate
tem” campaign. were positive overall for crisis and a strong majority
the dairy sector, Munster consider dairy part of a
Key purchasing consid- consumers are conscious sustainable diet, showing
erations for Munster con- of the climate crisis and that the industry has
sumers are nutrition and want to see industry con- demonstrated to consum-
taste, with 84% regarding tinue to take more steps ers that dairy farmers
dairy as a healthy and towards sustainability. across the length and
nutritious addition to their breadth of the province are
diet; 68% value the deli- “The dairy industry is serious and committed to
cious taste of dairy, while conscious of meeting our farming sustainably.”
over half believe dairy ambitious national cli-
products are fresh and not
highly processed. Pictured at the award-winning Connelly dairy farm were (l-r)
Zoe Kavanagh, spokesperson for the European Milk Forum
Over 60% believe that and CEO of the NDC, and Galway dairy farmers Yvonne and
dairy can continue to feed Austin Connelly.
the world in a sustainable
way, while more regard
dairy as a vital part of rural
communities and regional
economies.

Speaking at a recent visit
to the award-winning
Connelly dairy farm, Zoe
Kavanagh, spokesperson
for the European Milk
Forum in Ireland and
Chief Executive of the
National Dairy Council,
welcomed the findings.

“Dairy clearly continues

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Daily Mirror Eire | 21/12/2022

Media Source Press Page 26,27
Circulation 28,633

It's Donal's fabulous family Christmas

TV chef Donal Skehan loves Christmas Instead, he says, something festive, light ing, you get perfect slices of white meat,
dinner - but reckons it's the hardest meal and festive is a winner. cooked beautifully.
to cook all year. Donal said: "Gingerbread pancakes are a "By all means, do the full turkey. But I
So the busy dad-of-two has come up with delicious sweet treat. would say to anyone nervous of the big
some ways to make it simple and stress- "They're American-style pancakes with Christmas dinner, a rolled turkey breast is
free. added ginger spice and treacle. the winner." Add something to set it apart,
Now he's shared his family Christmas "If you make the batter the night before, such as an orange and maple glaze. He
menu - from the festive breakfast to the you'll only have to take it out of the fridge said these extra, thoughtful flavours on the
showpiece turkey dinner to yummy supper and pour on to the pan. bird and the vegetables will make the meal
leftovers - with the Irish Mirror. "I pop a bag of frozen fruit in a saucepan sing.
Donal - whose Christmas cooking show is and simmer with spice and a few table- Donal added: "We do parmesancrusted par-
on RTE next week - said most dishes can spoons of sugar while I'm making the pan- snips and carrots in a honey and mustard
be prepared in advance, taking the pres- cakes. You have a fresh berry compote, glaze.
sure off on the big day. and with a little bit of yoghurt to go with "When you're roasting off the carrots, toss
The secret is to make every part of every it, the gingerbread pancakes are gobbled them in a teaspoon of mustard, a table-
meal special, creating a perfect festive ban- up." spoon of honey and a good dollop of mel-
quet. The Skehan family enjoy a cocktail before ted butter."
Donal said: "Christmas Day dining is a big dinner while opening presents. Achieve fluffy, crusty roast potatoes by us-
feast and you lean into that. This year, Donal is going for cranberry ing roosters.
"Treat each dish as its own hero moment. cosmopolitans, putting a seasonal twist on He said: "Peel them in quarters, pop them
Give each part the attention it deserves. a classic. in a pot of cold water, bring to the boil and
"If you do a turkey, do a great turkey. If He loves the latest fashion for "freezer cook them for six minutes. Drain them,
you do carrots, add a honey and mustard door cocktails" - drinks you can make up then put the lid back on the pot and shake
glaze. and leave in the door of your fridge, ready them until they're fluffy. I use goose fat
"It'll be the hardest meal you'll cook this to pour. for potatoes .
year, so have as much as possible prepared He explained: "You batch cocktails and let "Add a few sprigs of rosemary and cloves
in advance. the mixture sit in the door." For the centre- of garlic. Then roast them off until they're
"I am the king of doing things ahead - I do piece meal, he likes a straightforward start- golden brown in a nice hot oven. Don't
not like any anxiety. er that can be put together without fuss. time it - use your eyes instead.
"Christmas Day cooking really lends itself He and Swedish wife Sofie enjoy serving "My trick is to throw in a tablespoon of po-
to pre-planning, which is something to use gravlax, which is a Nordic dish of cured lenta, if you have it, to get a lovely crusty
to your advantage. and seasoned salmon. edge."
"Try and get your life as streamlined as Donal added: "I make gravlax before He recommends par-boiling the veg the
possible in the days before Christmas and Christmas as it benefits from sitting in the night before and leaving them in a re-seal-
your life will be made easy, with a meal flavour. I cure it with sugar and salt and able bag or lunchbox, ready to go in the
you can get ahead with." beetroot for colour. oven on Christmas Day.Never cook the
The 38-year-old chef, cookbook writer, "All I have to do on the day is cut it and ham on Christmas Day, advises Donal.
blogger and presenter advises going light serve it, with some winter leaves like en- He said: "Boil it the night before, never on
on Christmas breakfast. dive. the day. You can even cook it off on
His choice for the first meal of the day is "It's clean and fresh in flavour. Alterna- Christmas Eve and it will happily sit for
gingerbread pancakes. tively, you can buy gravlax, or do a simple you."
He said: "Every family in Ireland used to salmon starter. Keep it light and easy." Donal loves sprouts and jokes he has "a
do the full Irish breakfast on the morning For the main meal, he advises a rolled tur- million ways" to make them appealing.
itself. key breast, as a whole turkey can be stress- He said: "Cut them in half, pan-fry them
"But it's too much meat early in the day, ful to cook and takes hours. open-face down until they get charred.
ahead of such a heavy main meal in the af- He said: "I make it easy with a rolled tur- "Add a splash of water and maybe a soy
ternoon." key breast - you get an even cook in an butter mixture and cook with the lid on.
hour and a half and when it comes to carv- You can roast them as well.

▲4

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"I love shredding them in a food processor plain flour, 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, the mixture on to the pan, cook until bub-
and adding parmesan, toasted hazelnuts 2 tsp ground ginger, 2tsp ground cinna- bles appear, then flip.
and cranberries, to make a sprout slaw." mon, 1tsp bicarbonate of soda, half a tea- ??Cook for a minute more, then serve with
For dessert, Donal's go-to this year is tira- spoon of all spice, pinch of sea salt 2 large compote. Add yoghurt for extra taste. ??
misu trifle. eggs. Donal's Festive Party is on RTE One on
He says: "It's the usual tiramisu, and I " For the berry compote, add all ingredi- Thursday, December 29 at 8pm. His earli-
make it in advance, then layer up the trifle. ents into a pan over medium heat and cook er RTE show on festive cooking - Donal's
"It will be pulled out of the fridge and dus- for three minutes. Set aside to cool. Christmas Eve - was sponsored by the Na-
ted with cocoa powder and chocolate shav- ??Melt butter, sugar and treacle together in tional Dairy Council and the EU's Sustain-
ings and served. It's always guaranteed to a pan over medium heat. Sift in flour with able Milk Programme.
give instant oohs and ahhs." cream of tartar, bicarbonate of soda, spices "Try and get your life as streamlined as
If peckish at the end of the day, a festive and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in possible in the days before Christmas DO-
grilled cheese sandwich is his choice . centre and pour in melted butter mixture . NAL SKEHAN ON PREPARING FOR
Donal said: "I make a toastie from turkey, ??Crack the eggs into the well and whisk FESTIVE ENTERTAINING
ham, brie and cranberry sauce. gently, adding a little flour at a time. Grad- SWEET TREAT Chef Donal Skehan with
"Use tartine sourdough for this dish, to fin- ually add the milk as you stir until you his creation
ish off the most special day of the year." have a smooth, thick batter. FAMILY FUN Cooking with the Skehans
"Gingerbread pancakes Makes 16 ??30g ??Lightly grease a frying ban and place on CS SSC OFAMILY FUN Cooking with
unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons of light mus- medium heat. Dollop a few spoonfuls of the SkehansCOCKTAIL HOUR Lots to
covado sugar, I tbsp black treacle, 250g toast with

CONTINUE READING

▲5

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Tipp FM - Ag-report with Jim Finn | 18/12/2022

Media Source Radio
Also published in Clare FM - Farm Focus

Zoe Kavanagh - Chief Executive Officer - National Dairy Council

Interview with Zoe Kavanagh - Chief
Executive Officer - National Dairy Council

Radio-Clip

▲6

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Irish Daily Star | 21/12/2022

Media Source Press Page 23
Circulation 29,331

Donal’s

gingerbread
pancakes
...makes 16

■ 3Og unsalted butter, 3
tablespoons of light
muscovado sugar, I tbsp
black treacle, 250g
plain flour, 2 teaspoons of
cream of tartar, 2 tsp ground
ginger, 2tsp ground
cinnamon, 1tsp bicarbonate
of soda, half a teaspoon of
all spice, pinch of sea salt 2
large eggs.
■ For the berry compote,
add all ingredients into a pan
over medium heat and cook
for three minutes. Set aside
to cool.
■ Melt butter, sugar and
treacle together in a pan
over medium heat. Sift in
flour with cream of tartar,
bicarbonate of soda, spices
and salt in a large bowl.
Make a well in centre and
pour in melted butter
mixture.
■Crack the eggs into the
well and whisk gently,
adding a little flour at a time.
Gradually add the milk as
you stir until you have a
smooth, thick batter.
■ Lightly grease a frying ban
and place on medium heat.
Dollop a few spoonfuls of
the mixture onto the pan,
cook until bubbles appear,
then flip.
■Cook for a minute more,
then serve with compote.
Add yoghurt for extra taste.
■ Donal’s Festive Party is on
RTE One on Thursday,
December 29 at 8pm. His
earlier RTE show on festive
cooking - Donal's Christmas
Eve - was sponsored by the
National Dairy Council and
the EU’s Sustainable Milk
Programme.

▲7

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breakingnews.ie | 20/12/2022

Media Source Online Visits 1,131,563

Also published in irishexaminer.com

Dairy farmers are keen to be green

...later in life. Researchers in New Zealand say probiotics may yet be one of the answers for
lowering livestock methane emissions. Teagasc has been informing the dairy sector on new farming
methods that will...

CONTINUE READING

The Irish Times | 20/12/2022

Media Source Online Visits 5,405,803

Irish farmers are following expert advice to become more sustainable and
reduce the carbon hoofprint of a litre of milk

...later in life. Researchers in New Zealand say probiotics may yet be one of the answers for
lowering livestock methane emissions. Signposting the way forward Teagasc has been informing the
dairy sector on...

CONTINUE READING

▲8

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Irish Times | 20/12/2022

Media Source Press Page 19
Circulation 54,147

Sponsored

Dairy farmers are keen to go green

Irish farmers are following breeding of more efficient cows with high
expert advice to become feed conversion, smaller animals with a low-
more sustainable and er carbon hoofprint per litre of milk.
reduce the carbon hoofprint
of a litre of milk Sheehan has also had very good results
from feeding probiotics to calves, for the
first 20 days, thus preventing a lot of health
issues in the calf and in the cow later in life.
Researchers in New Zealand say probiotics
may yet be one of the answers for lowering
livestock methane emissions.

In advance of the 2023 climate action plan soil and for soil life, including earthworms. At the same launch Teagasc director Pro- thing.” Eamon Sheehan said, on behalf of ■ Farmer Shane Fitzgerald is an early Signposting
setting legal limits on emissions from agri- “I could see the soil structure has im- fessor Frank O’Mara noted: “We should his family. adopter of multispecies pasture with thewayforward
culture, Ireland’s leading dairy farmers proved, even though we only started sow- take encouragement from the rates of plantain, chicory, clover and other
are seeking ways to become more sustaina- ing it [multispecies] last autumn.” adoption of low-emissions technologies by “It has always been of interest to us, try- grasses and herbs, which are Teagasc has been informing the dairy sec-
ble. farmers so far,” which was due to acknowl- ing to farm sustainably. We’ve been doing recommended in addition to the tor on new farming methods that will be
“It’s a big thing going forward, we have edgment of the years of efforts on the Shee- this since before it became fashionable.” perennial ryegrass on which farmers more sustainable. Its Signpost programme
A visible improvement in biodiversity is been focusing too much on above the han and Fitzgerald farms, and many more have depended for decades is a whole-of-industry partnership, led by
one of the things that animates Eamon ground, we have to try to improve soil like them. Sheehan and Fitzgerald have both em- Teagasc and involving over 60 agri-food or-
Sheehan of Cuffesgrange, Co Killkenny. health.” barked on two years of studying for a diplo- ed urea fertiliser. Now nearly 90 per cent of ganisations, set up to support and enable
Since he adopted a new veterinary plan of Legacy for the next ma in environment, sustainability and cli- dairy farms have adopted the former, and farmers to take climate action.
only-when-needed treatments, he has seen Climatestrategy generation mate, through University College Cork and more than 30 per cent use the latter, ac-
big changes. “It had a huge knock-on ef- Tirlán (formerly Glanbia), the dairy compa- cording to the Teagasc National Farm Sur- Dr Tom O’Dwyer, head of the Signpost
fect,” said Eamon. Shane and Eamon are leading with meas- Farmers aren’t waiting. Shane Fitzgerald ny they supply with milk. Tirlán fully funds vey Sustainability Report. programme says: “There are three parts to
ures for reducing greenhouse gas emis- said, “The way I look at it, this is our part of 20 diploma students each year, to “support the programme includinga network of dem-
The reduced use of medicines has led to sions, increasing carbon sequestration and the world here, we have to look after the en- milk suppliers” in their on-farm sustainabil- Both have incorporated clover in pas- onstration farmers – the Signpost farmers –
an increase in the beetles that feed on the improving sustainability. They are needed vironment and reduce emissions, and leave ity journey. ture, to reduce reliance on chemical nitro- and a research experiment to measure the
dung that cattle leave behind in the pas- because, as Minister for Agriculture Char- the land in better shape for the next genera- gen, as clover adds nitrogen from the air to rates of carbon sequestration (the process
ture. lie McConalogue has said, the 2023 climate tion – any farmer will tell you they always “We’re trying to upskill and learn as we the soil. They also reduce emissions with of locking carbon dioxide from the atmos-
plan budgets “will challenge the sector like want to leave the land better for the next go,” said Sheehan. “You have to do some- up-to-date cow breeding strategies. Ea- phere into the soil and keeping it there) on
“They’re breaking down the dung and never before”. generation”. thing and try to be proactive.” mon said the cows have collars that send a different soil types and under different man-
burrowing into the soil,” explained Ea- signal when they are ready for breeding. agement regimes. The aim is to establish an
mon, who believes that the resulting in- At the recent launch of the Climate Ac- “It doesn’t make sense for us to harm the Earlyadopters This has allowed the farm to rely 100 per accuratebaseline for current carbonabsorp-
crease in insect life on the farm has in- tion Strategy 2022-2030 by Teagasc, Ire- environment, to run down the soil, to dam- cent on artificial insemination, selecting tion rates in Ireland across the different soil
creased the activity of bats. land’s agriculture and food development au- age the land we work on, we rely on it for Both are aware that farm efficiency and specific traits (including low emissions) for types and land usages.
thority, he said: “Farm families have been our livelihood,” he says. herd health are economically better for the their cows.
There are also birds such as kestrels and on a journey towards lower-carbon systems farm, while reducing the carbon hoofprint “The third part – the Signpost advisory
sparrowhawks, and there are even otters for some time. We are now stepping for- “That’s why we want to reduce emis- of a litre of milk. Shane uses similar breeding strategies. programme – has been launched recently
on the farm. ward those ambitions and we stand full sions, to leave a legacy that we did the right He said the biggest scope now is to speed up and will support dairy farmers to make the
square behind them on this future journey.” Both farmers started early with environ- changes already taken by our Signpost
It’s just one of a host of initiatives over mental improvements, by adopting dairy demonstration farmers, and farmers
many years by Eamon, and by his father low-emission slurry spreading and protect- like Eamon and Shane. The objective of the
previously, that have improved the sustain- overall programme is to bring science to
ability of the 250 acres where he produces practice, and we believe that we can do this
milk from 200 cows. over the coming years.”

Their land is one-fifth space for nature, Reducing emissions by 25 per cent be-
an important concept in the new Common fore the end of the decade is a target that
Agricultural Policy from January. As one will test farmers. But the future of Ireland’s
of the National Dairy Council Ambassa- dairy system, together with the agri-food
dors, advocates for Ireland’s grass-fed sector as a whole, which is one of the coun-
dairy production system, he champions ini- try’s largest and most important indige-
tiatives to make Irish dairy ever more envi- nous business sectors, is in good hands
ronmentally-friendly. with farmers like the Fitzgeralds and the
Sheehans leading the way.
Multispecies
pasture

In Co Waterford it’s the chicory that im-
presses Shane Fitzgerald at Portlaw,
where milk is produced from 210 dairy
cows. Shane is an early adopter of multispe-
cies pasture with plantain, chicory, clover
and other grasses and herbs, which are rec-
ommended in addition to the perennial
ryegrass on which farmers have depended
for decades.

Multispecies pasture makes up 10 per
cent of Shane’s farm. It reduces the need
for chemical nitrogen fertiliser (which
causes emissions) and pesticides and im-
proves soil health.

Shane has been digging up pastures and
marvelling at the long roots of the chicory,
which he says are really beneficial for the

▲9

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Irish Examiner | 20/12/2022

Media Source Press Page 3
Circulation 25,419

Dairy farmers are SPONSORED
keen to be green

Irish farmers are following expert advice
to become more sustainable and reduce
the carbon hoofprint of a litre of milk

Farmer Shane Fitzgerald surrounded by some of his herd on his lands at Portlaw, Co Waterford.

Ahead of the 2023 climate action Famer Eamon Sheehan on his holding in Cuffsgrange, Co Kilkenny. want to leave the land better for the
plan setting legal limits on next generation”.
emissions from agriculture “They also reduce because, as Agriculture Minister emissions) for their cows. a research experiment to measure
the country’s leading dairy emissions with Charlie McConalogue has said, the 2023 “It doesn’t make sense for us to harm Shane uses similar breeding the rates of carbon sequestration (the
farmers are seeking out ways to up-to-date cow climate plan budgets “will challenge the environment, to run down the soil, process of locking carbon dioxide
become more sustainable. breeding strategies” the sector like never before”. to damage the land we work on, we rely strategies. He said the biggest scope from the atmosphere into the soil and
on it for our livelihood,” he says. now is to speed up breeding of keeping it there) on different soil types
A visible improvement in fertiliser (which causes emissions) and At the recent launch of the Climate more efficient cows with high feed and under different management
biodiversity is one of the things pesticides and improves soil health. Action Strategy 2022-2030 by Teagasc, “That’s why we want to reduce conversion, smaller animals with a regimes. The aim is to establish an
that animates Eamon Sheehan of Ireland’s Agriculture and Food emissions, to leave a legacy that we did lower carbon hoofprint per litre of accurate base line for current carbon
Cuffesgrange, Co Killkenny. Since he Shane has been digging up pastures Development Authority, he said: the right thing.” milk. absorption rates in Ireland across the
adopted a new veterinary plan of only- and marvelling at the long roots of “Farm families have been on a journey different soil types and land usages.
when-needed treatments, he has seen the chicory, which he says are really towards lower carbon systems for some Eamon Sheehan said, on behalf of Sheehan has also had very good
big changes. “It had a huge knock-on beneficial for the soil, and for soil time. We are now stepping forward his family. results from feeding probiotics to “The third part – the Signpost
effect,” said Eamon. life, including earthworms. “I could those ambitions and we stand full calves, for the first 20 days, thus advisory programme – has been
see the soil structure has improved, square behind them on this future “It has always been of interest to preventing a lot of health issues launched recently and will support
The reduced use of medicines has even though we only started sowing it journey.” us, trying to farm sustainably. We’ve in the calf and in the cow later in dairy farmers to make the changes
led to an increase in the beetles which (multispecies) last autumn.” been doing this before it became life. Researchers in New Zealand already taken by our Signpost dairy
feed on the dung cattle leave behind in At the same launch Teagasc director fashionable.” say probiotics may yet be one of demonstration farmers, and farmers
the pasture. “They’re breaking down “It’s a big thing going forward, we Professor Frank O’Mara said: “We the answers for lowering livestock like Eamon and Shane. The objective
the dung and burrowing into the soil.” have been focusing too much on above should take encouragement from the Sheehan and Fitzgerald have both methane emissions. of the overall programme is to bring
the ground, we have to try to improve rates of adoption of low emissions embarked on two years of studying science to practice, and we believe that
Eamon believes that the resulting soil health.” technologies by farmers so far” which for a diploma in environment, Teagasc has been informing the we can do this over the coming years.”
increase in insect life on the farm has was due acknowledgement of the sustainability and climate, through dairy sector on new farming methods
increased the activity of bats. There Shane and Eamon are leading with years of efforts on the Sheehan and University College Cork, and the dairy that will be more sustainable. Its Reducing emissions by 25 per cent
are also birds such as kestrels, and measures for reducing greenhouse Fitzgerald farms, and many more like company they supply with milk, which Signpost programme is a whole of before the end of the decade is a target
sparrowhawks, and there are even gas emissions, increasing carbon them. is Tirlán (formerly Glanbia). Tirlán industry partnership, led by Teagasc that will test farmers.
otters on the farm. sequestration, and improving fully funds 20 diploma students each and involving over 60 agri-food
sustainability. They are needed Farmers aren’t waiting. Shane year, to “support milk suppliers’ in organisations, set up to support and But the future of Ireland’s dairy
It’s just one of a host of initiatives Fitzgerald said, “The way I look at it, their on-farm sustainability journey. enable farmers to take climate action. system, together with the agri-food
over many years by Eamon, and by his this is our part of the world here, we sector as a whole, one of the country’s
father previously, which improved the have to look after the environment and “We’re trying to upskill and learn as Dr Tom O’Dwyer, head of the largest and most important indigenous
sustainability of the 250 acres where reduce emissions, and leave the land we go,” said Sheehan. “You have to do Signpost programme said; “there business sectors, is in good hands with
he produces milk from 200 cows. Their in better shape for the next generation, something and try to be proactive.” are three parts to the programme farmers like the Fitzgerald’s and the
land is one fifth “space for nature”, an any farmer will tell you they always including a network of demonstration Sheehan’s leading the way.
important concept in the new Common Both are aware that farm efficiency farmers – the Signpost farmers – and
Agricultural Policy from January. and herd health are economically
better for the farm, while reducing the
As one of the National Dairy Council carbon hoofprint of a litre of milk.
Ambassadors, advocates for Ireland’s
grass-fed dairy production system, he Both farmers started early with
champions initiatives to make Irish environmental improvements,
dairy ever more environmentally- by adopting low emission slurry
friendly. spreading and protected urea fertiliser.
Now nearly 90 per cent of dairy
In Co Waterford it’s the chicory that farms have adopted the former, and
impresses Shane Fitzgerald at Portlaw, more than 30 per cent use the latter,
where milk is produced from 210 dairy according to the Teagasc National
cows. Farm Survey Sustainability Report.

Shane is an early adopter of Both have incorporated clover in
multispecies pasture with plantain, pasture, to reduce reliance on chemical
chicory, clover, and other grasses and nitrogen for clover adds nitrogen from
herbs, which is recommended as an the air to the soil.
addition to the perennial ryegrass
on which farmers have depended for They also reduce emissions with
decades. up-to-date cow breeding strategies.
Eamon said the cows have collars
Multispecies pasture makes up 10 which send a signal when they
per cent of Shane’s farm. It reduces are ready for breeding. This has
the need for chemical nitrogen allowed the farm to rely 100 per
cent on artificial insemination,
selecting specific traits (including low

▲ 10

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Shelflife | 19/12/2022

Media Source Press Page 15
Circulation 8,116

NEWS

Research shows dairy products remain a popular part of mealtimes

Pictured at the award-winning Connelly dairy farm in Tuam, Co. Galway their diet; 66% value the delicious taste of dairy while 48% believe
were (l-r) Zoe Kavanagh, spokesperson for the European Milk Forum and dairy products are fresh and not highly processed.
CEO of the NDC and Galway dairy farmers Yvonne and Austin Connelly
Three out of every five believe that dairy can continue to feed the
New research shows that dairy continues to remain a firm favourite world in a sustainable way while 69% regard dairy as a vital part of
among Irish consumers with 92% saying dairy features in their diet rural communities and regional economies.
and over half (66%) believing meals would not be the same without
their favourite dairy products. Speaking at a recent visit to the award-winning Connelly dairy
farm in Tuam, Co. Galway, Zoe Kavanagh, spokesperson for the
Milk, cheese and yoghurt feature prominently at mealtimes in European Milk Forum in Ireland and chief executive of the National
households across the country according to the findings from Dairy Council, welcomed the findings citing the enduring popularity
national research of 1,500 Irish adults by the European Milk Forum of dairy products in households across Ireland and the valuable food­
(EMF) as part of its “Dairy in a Healthy and Sustainable European producer role played by Irish dairy farmers.
Food System” campaign. As one of Ireland’s oldest indigenous
industries, dairy is a fundamental part of our national heritage, and “Dairy clearly continues to be a treasured part of the diets of Irish
these findings show Irish consumers continue to support and trust in consumers and features prominently at mealtimes in households
the industry. across the country. Consumers recognise the taste, quality and
flavour provided by dairy product,” she said.
Key purchasing considerations for consumers are nutrition and “Farmers such as the Connelly family in Tuam are an excellent
taste with 77% regarding dairy as a healthy and nutritious addition to example of best-in-class food producers producing nutritious locally
produced dairy, on a grass-based system, supplying top quality dairy
products,” she added.
Kavanagh said that while the research findings were positive overall
for the dairy sector, consumers are conscious of the climate crisis
and want to see industry continue to take more steps towards
sustainability.

“The dairy industry is conscious of meeting our ambitious national
climate action targets by 2030 and achieving a reduction in
agriculture emissions of 25%. It is a challenge but one that dairy is
embracing; conscious of the significant milestones that need to be
achieved collectively in both the short and longer term. The research
reflects an awareness by consumers of the work undertaken so far
and the efforts underway to ensure all dairy farmers are reaching and
maintaining a high standard of environmental sustainability.” ■

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Zoe Kavanagh - Chief Executive Officer - National Dairy Council

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Dairy farmers are keen to be green
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