Work organisation in dairy farms: work durations, changes of practices and precision livestock farming.

The dairy industry is the most strategically important indigenous sector of the Irish economy. Driven by increased production and higher dairy market returns, Irish dairy exports increased to €4.02 billion in 2017 about one third of total Agri export value and over half of the national beef output is from the dairy industry. However, the industry faces a big human capital challenge as increased scale has been the major driver of increased output with nearly half of all dairy cows are now milked in herds of >100 cows which has been a signifcant structural change for the industry. Teagasc has identifed farm labour as one of the major limitations to the further growth of the dairy industry. However, many dairy industries globally have faced this challenge previously and for that reason, we have organised this conference with international experts, to identify solutions and strategies to overcome the challenges faced by the Irish dairy industry as it continues to grow and deliver real value for the Irish rural economy. ICOS is delighted to sponsor this important conference, which will help family farm businesses become better and more effcient places to work. At farm level, we have seen great advances in terms of productivity, effciency and milk quality in recent years. Globally, the environmental metrics of Irish agriculture and the economic value of the dairy industry to Ireland are unrivalled. That said there are a number of challenges we need to address including encouraging new entrants into dairy farming and becoming active members of their co-operative businesses. For a farm to be truly sustainable, the farming enterprise must have a viable future that includes protecting the human capital on which it relies. Focus needs to be placed on providing a good work environment for all personnel and a good work:life balance, while at the same time optimising proftability and sustainability of dairy farm systems. All of these topics will be discussed at the International Agricultural Workforce Conference. Teagasc and ICOS welcome you to this conference