Mayo farm family selected for joint Farm Profitability Programme
AURIVO and Teagasc have selected five farms to take part in the fourth phase of their joint Farm Profitability Programme, which aims to improve farm profitability and environmental practices.
Five focus farms have been selected throughout the Aurivo catchment from which key messages and learnings will be shared with all Aurivo suppliers as the programme demonstrates best practice and adoption of new technologies. These learnings will be shared through the dedicated Aurivo supplier newsletter, short videos and public farm walks.
The focus farms include one for Mayo - the Gordon family farm in Crossmolina.
An Aurivo supplier survey completed late last year highlighted a clear demand by farmers to be able to access video e-learning resources, as well as have the opportunity to attend a number of on-farm knowledge transfer events to bring learnings to life. Key programme topics will also be delivered through interactive discussion groups in the region.
Speaking at the launch, Aurivo chairman Raymond Barlow said: “I am delighted to launch the fourth phase of the Aurivo/Teagasc joint Farm Profitability Programme. It is a wonderful initiative which equips farmers with the skills to confidently face challenges such as increased regulation, environmental demands, labour and attracting young people to the industry head on, as well as enhancing farm viability into the future.”
Aurivo farm profitability and sustainability manager Declan Marren added: “For winter milk producers a new aspect of the programme will be dedicated workshops at critical times of the year.
“Liquid milk is an integral part of the Aurivo business accounting for 25% of the overall milk pool. Everything discussed within the Aurivo/Teagasc Farm Profitability Programme is relevant and applicable to winter milk producers, however there are times of the year when these systems need tailored advice. The addition of the workshops will provide invaluable, tailored advice to winter milk producers around breeding, improving silage quality and winter nutrition.”
Teagasc joint programme advisor John McCabe commented: “The overarching theme of this tranche of the programme will be on herd improvement and labour. We are focusing in on these two major areas in order to really drive change on Aurivo supplier farms.
“The programme is set up to deliver for farmers from a profitability point of view, however many of the aspects covered go hand in hand with key elements highlighted in the Teagasc MACC 2023 which will be critical to delivering on our environmental and sustainability targets as a sector.”
In conjunction with the Farm Profitability Programme, Aurivo continues to support farmers through learnings from the Teagasc Signpost Programme, ASSAP, Grass 10, Aurivo/ABP Calf Programme, Aurivo/Farmeye Soil Carbon Programme, as well as other co-op initiatives.