Dairy conference
Commodity watch by policy officer Daniel McLaughlin
Northern Ireland’s dairy industry is set to come together for the dairy conference 2026 being hosted in partnership between the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the Dairy Council NI, CAFRE and AgriSearch. The conference will be held on Tuesday 20 October at Greenmount Campus, running from 10am to 3pm. The theme of the day is ‘Driving Profitability, Delivering Sustainability’ and will provide a key opportunity for dairy farmers to come together with industry representatives to explore how innovation, data driven evidence and farmers’ own experiences, can support the long-term sustainability of their dairy enterprise.
For dairy farmers, 2026 has been a turbulent year, marked by erratic changes in weather, poor milk prices and rising input costs. Despite these challenges, farm businesses continue to invest and improve. Through a range of speakers and topics, dairy farmers will be able to take home what they have learnt and apply this to their own farms and translating into practical benefits.
Dairy roadmap
The conference will kick off with opening remarks from joint host CAFRE, after which farmers will be able to hear about the dairy roadmap and the recently launched ‘Pathways to Sustainability’ report. The dairy roadmap has provided a framework for the UK dairy sector to highlight progress already made in environmental sustainability and the future role dairy farmers can play in this regard, while staying ahead of possible environmental regulation. The most recently published report highlights that since 1990, the sector has reduced its emissions impact by 22%. Measures such as improving feed efficiencies, improving animal health and optimising fertiliser and slurry use can contribute to greater resource efficiency, bringing improved production and environmental performance.
Genetics
The second session of the day will consider the significant role of genetics. Over a considerable number of years, improved genetics has paved the way for creating a more profitable and sustainable sector through greater production efficiencies. Increased milk yield per cow, improved health and better feed conversion has increased profitability on farm. Conference attendees will hear from a range of speakers on the genetic progress already made as well as the next steps for harnessing the rewards of improved genetics. Through an impactful case study of a fellow farmer’s experience with genetics, farmers will be able to apply key messages at home on the farm. For Northern Ireland, taking part in the Sustainable Ruminant Genetic scheme and the Bovine Genotyping project which launched 1 September of this year, dairy farmers are already or may be seeking to take part in work which will help them understand their own farm genetics and seek to make further gains.
Carbon and nutrition
The final session of the day will consider the Dairy Carbon Network, a UK wide initiative led by AFBI working with over 50 dairy farms implementing evidence based, science led methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the NI dairy sector continues to reduce emissions through improved cow productivity, this session will also consider the important role of cow nutrition. Given that for dairy farmers, feed is their most significant cost, a focus on improved feed efficiency will be highly applicable for knowledge transfer to their own farm.
Book your place
The conference is free to attend and lunch will be provided. Space is limited and booking is available online by clicking here.
