Repost: Laurence Shalloo on the challenges facing the dairy industry

We’re reposting one of the most popular episodes from last year with Laurence Shalloo, Head of the Animal and Grassland Programme in Teagasc Moorepark, who joined Stuart Childs to discuss the future challenges facing the dairy industry.

Laurence starts by acknowledging that there is a constant state of flux in the world now and that we are constantly adapting to change. This is no different to what we did in the run-in to the milk quota removal.

Laurence talks about the pent up energy in the industry post-quota removal that has delivered a 100% increase in milk solids production from just a 50% increase in cows, indicating the advances made in terms of productivity.

There are always challenges and costs were high on the agenda again in 2025 as there has been an upward shift in costs. There is a need to focus on getting on top of them again and key to that is efficiency and growing the cheapest feed we can – grass.

The other challenges facing the industry include generation renewal as some of the people that have delivered the expansion are now looking for the person to carry on the business. 

Greenhouse gas emissions and water quality challenges also exist but are trending in the right direction and can be overcome by implementing the research.

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com