In association with Dairygold, Ornua and Teagasc – followed by Farm Walk

The National Dairy Council will host a seminar on 4th July ahead of the annual Farm Walk hosted by Teagasc. The seminar and farm walk will be held at Walsh Family Farm in Cahir, Co Tipperary, who were the overall winners in last year’s NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards 2017.

Health conscious consumers are on the rise, functional foods were a key google search trend in 2017 and all of this will have impacts on the food industry and how it operates. Consumers are becoming more and more curious about their food choices and the diets that they choose to follow and there has been a steady rise in fad diets and exclusion diets particularly in the last three years. This will also be mirrored on products bought in supermarkets with traceability, ecological impact and info on carbon footprint all appearing on packaging.

This year’s seminar will focus on dairy and the modern consumer and will include talks by Ciara O’Callaghan, Brand Director, Ornua who will discuss the latest Consumer insights from a Dairy Perspective; Dr Marianne Walsh, Senior Nutritionist with the NDC, who will discuss nutrition trends and the health impact from fad diets and finally Food Writer and Commentator, John Mckenna who will discuss modern food trends and where Food is going in the future for restaurants and chefs.

The dairy category in particular had been a key focus of modern food trends, Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council said “We have been aware for some time that there is a generation of Irish people who are avoiding or limiting dairy in their diet, this is of key concern for us as the current Millennial generation (20-29yrs) will be the future parents and the next generation of older adults,” Kavanagh says. “Dairy avoidance raises a real concern from a nutritional perspective because cutting out a complete food group poses a risk to overall nutrient intake. Our market research has demonstrated a gap in “Millennial understanding” around Ireland’s grass-based system, while misconceptions and urban myths about dairy’s fat levels, allergies and lactose intolerance are wrongly encouraging millennials to opt for trendy almond milk lattes and gluten-free foods”.

The Farm Walk will then follow on the farm of John and Maria Walsh, Ballylomasna, Ballylooby, Cahir, Co Tipperary, 2017 National Winners of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards at 12pm.

This event is organised by Teagasc, with the support of Dairygold Co-op, the National Dairy Council and Ornua, and celebrates the excellence of Irish dairy farming, highlighted annually by the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

On the farm walk, groups will be led around the Walsh Farm and cover off the following topics:

• Farm performance, both current and over time
• Producing high quality milk with low SCC and TBC
• Sustainable milk production with due care for the environment
• Family dairy farming including the Walsh family’s expansion plans, labour/ workload and lean farming
• Growing, grazing and using more grass

John O’Gorman, Chairman of Dairygold said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Farm Walk and Seminar this year and to work with the NDC, Ornua, Teagasc and dairy farmers to promote the benefits of a strong sustainable dairy industry consistently producing top quality milk. We would like to thank John and Maria Walsh for opening up their farm for this event. They are tremendous ambassadors for Dairygold in not just their achievement in winning the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Award in 2017 but also in the high standards they strive for and maintain each day.”

Tom O Dwyer, Teagasc dairy knowledge transfer specialist, urged dairy farmers to avail of the opportunity to visit this award-winning family farm. “The Walsh farm is great example of a top class dairy farm, and all dairy farmers and those thinking of entering the sector should come along on Wednesday the 4th July to see the farm for themselves and meet the family.”

For further information about the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards visit www.qualitymilkawards.ie

Join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #MADEFORTHIS