Registration, Refreshments & Networking
DAY 1
Wednesday - 15th January 2025
09:00 - 09:40
Registration, Refreshments & Networking
09:40 - 09:45
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Session 1 A
09:45 - 10:35
Big Picture – Industry Overview Session
Future trends in dairy markets – importance of grass fed
Challenges and opportunities – what we need to focus on
•
International insights plus key aspect to profitable, happy farming
•
Why I believe there is a great future in farming
Chairperson: Kevin Twomey
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer and
i
nvestor, co-founder of the Positive
Farmers
Session 2 A
10:35 - 12:15
Farm Systems
Focus on margin not output- back to basics
Stocking rate, feed systems, grass growth trends etc. system targets
•
How to work it out?
•
Challenge preconceptions
•
Calving date impact
Chairperson: Gillian O’Sullivan
Paidi Kelly
Director TeamAg Advisory, farming in
partnership & Positive Farmers team
member, formerly Teagasc.
Piers Badnell
Pasture to Profit Consultant, LIC
Tom Downey
Co Tipperary Dairy farmer
12:15 - 13:25
Lunch and Networking
Session 3 A
13:25 - 15:00
How Can We Get Back to 15tDM/ha?
Review N use, tonnage grown, impact on feed system
•
Clover – has it still a role to play?
•
What are best farmers doing?
•
Lessons from two challenging years
Chairperson: Deirdre Hennessy
Fergal Coughlan
Dairy farming in Innishannon, Cork.
ex farm manager, Clonakilty
Agricultural College
John Maher
Teagasc, Moorepark.
Specialist - Grass 10 Manager
15:00 - 15:30
Refreshment Break & Networking
Session 4 A
15:30 - 17:00
Progressing in Farming - Our Story
Hear from top class dairy farmers about their path into dairy farming,
challenges they have encountered along the way lessons they have
learnt, balancing family and farming life and future plans
Chairperson: Niall Murphy
Liam Hennessy
Area Manager at FDC Group
Rhidian Glyn
A new entrant farmer from Wales
19:30
CONFERENCE GALA NETWORKING DINNER
DAY 2
Thursday - 16th January 2025
Registration, Refreshments & Networking
Workshops
10:00 - 11:00
OPTION 1 - Budget for 2025
•
Banking insights, cash-flow, loan structure, etc.
•
Template/ Budgeting/ Keeping it updated
OPTION 2 - Land Purchasing - Pitfalls & Planning
•
Is there a crash coming?
•
What factors are affecting supply/demand?
•
Taxation?
OPTION 3 - The 9 habits of effective calf rearing
•
What needs to happen now?
•
Key steps to a healthy calf rearing season
11:00 - 11:30
Refreshment Break & Networking
Workshops
11:30 - 12:30
OPTION 1 - Budget for 2025
•
Banking insights, cash-flow, loan structure, etc.
•
Template/ Budgeting/ Keeping it updated
OPTION 2 - Land Purchasing - Pitfalls & Planning
•
Is there a crash coming?
•
What factors are affecting supply/demand?
•
Taxation?
OPTION 3 - The 9 habits of effective calf rearing
•
What needs to happen now?
•
Key steps to a healthy calf rearing season
12:30 - 13:45
Lunch and Networking
Session 3 B
13:45 - 15:15
FARM RESILIENCE: Business, Body & Mind
Discover the essential elements for a thriving dairy farm business.
Delve into the financial, physical and mental fitness required to
succeed in the challenging & changing landscape of the dairy
industry.
•
Insights into financial & business resilience
•
importance of physical health & fitness in managing demanding
farm life
•
how to maintain mental-well being and motivation through
challenges
15:15 - 15:30
Comfort Break
Session 4 B
15:30 - 16:00
PANEL DISCUSSION
On key issues facing the sector and an overview of important
elements of the conference
Chairperson: Jack Kennedy IFJ
Rhidian Glyn
Catherine Heffernan
Gillian O’Sullivan
Kevin Twomey & Niall Murphy
16:00 - 16:10
Conclusion & Conference close
FARM with CLARITY and CONFIDENCE
while INCREASING PROFITS
09:30 - 10:00
Pat O Meara
Dairy farmer and Nuffield scholar
Tommy Heffernan
Tommy The Vet
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer and
i
nvestor, co-founder of the Positive
Farmers
Pat Byrnes
BOI Agri Development Manager
Pat O Meara
Dairy farmer and Nuffield scholar
Tommy Heffernan
Tommy The Vet
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer and
i
nvestor, co-founder of the Positive
Farmers
Pat Byrnes
BOI Agri Development Manager
Chairperson: Will Evans
Nollaig Heffernan
Independent Management
Consultant specialising in Leadership
and Organisational Psychology.
Roger Adams
Certified strength and conditioning
coach with the IRFU, a competitive
Masters Class body builder and a life
long Martial Artist.
Dessie Fitzgerald
Life, Mind Health & Performance
Coach, & Motivational Speaker from
a Farming background in Co. Cork.
Registration, Refreshments & Networking
Thursday 11th January
DAY 1 WEDNESDAY 10th JANUARY 2024
DAY 1
Wednesday - 15th January
09:00 - 09:40
Registration, Refreshments & Networking
09:40 - 09:45
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Session 1 A
09:45 - 10:35
Big Picture – Industry Overview Session
Future trends in dairy markets, Importance of grass
fed. Challenges and opportunities – what we need
to focus on
•
International insights plus key aspect to
profitable, happy farming
•
Why I’m staking my future in farming
Chairperson: Kevin
Twomey
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer
and i
nvestor, co-founder of
the Positive Farmers
Session 2 A
10:35 - 12:15
Farm Systems
Focus on margin not output- back to basics
Stocking rate, feed systems, grass growth trends
etc. system targets
•
How to work it out?
•
Challenge preconceptions
•
Calving date impact
Chairperson: Gillian
O’Sullivan
Paidi Kelly
Director TeamAg Advisory,
farming in partnership &
Positive Farmers team
member, Formerly Teagasc.
Piers Badnell
Pasture to Profit
Consultant, LIC
Tom Downey
Co Tipperary Dairy farmer
12:15 - 13:25
Lunch and Networking
Session 3 A
13:25 - 15:00
How Can We Get Back to 15tDM/ha?
Review N use, tonnage grown, impact on feed
system
•
Clover – has it still a role to play?
•
What are best farmers doing?
•
Lessons from two challenging years
Chairperson: Deirdre
Hennessy
Fergal Coughlan
Farm manager, Clonakilty
Agricultural College
John Maher
Teagasc, Moorepark.
Specialist - Grass 10
Manager
15:00 - 15:30
Refreshment Break & Networking
Session 4 A
15:30 - 17:00
Progressing in Partnerships
Hear from top class dairy farmers about their
path into dairy farming, challenges they have
encountered along the way lessons they have
learnt, balancing family and farming life and
future plans
Chairperson: Niall
Liam Hennessy
Area Manager at FDC
Group
Rhidian Glyn
A new entrant farmer from
Wales
19:30 - ……….
CONFERENCE GALA NETWORKING DINNER
Better Farming - Better Business - Better Lifestyle
Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Co-course
Leader of MA in Advanced Facilitation
Skills for Health and Well Being, SETU
DAY 2
Thursday - 16th January
09:30 - 10:00
Registration, Refreshments & Networking
Workshops
10:00 - 11:00
OPTION 1 - Budget for 2025
•
Banking insights cash-flow, loan structure, etc.
•
Template/ Budgeting/ Keeping it update
OPTION 2 - Land prices
- Pitfalls & Planning
•
Is there a crash coming?
•
What factors are affecting supply/demand?
•
Taxation?
Pat O Meara
Dairy farmer and
Nuffield scholar
Pat Byrnes
BOI Agri Development
Manager
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer and i
nvestor,
co-founder of the
Positive Farmers
Tommy Heffernan
Tommy The Vet
11:00 - 11:30
Refreshment Break & Networking
Workshops
11:30 - 12:30
OPTION 1 - Budget for 2025
•
Banking insights cash-flow, loan structure, etc.
•
Template/ Budgeting/ Keeping it update
OPTION 2 - Land prices
- Pitfalls & Planning
•
Is there a crash coming?
•
What factors are affecting supply/demand?
•
Taxation? Is there a crash coming?
OPTION 3 -
The 9 habits of effective calf rearing
•
What needs to happen now?
•
Key steps to a healthy calf rearing season
Pat O Meara
Dairy farmer and
Nuffield scholar
Pat Byrnes
BOI Agri Development
Manager
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer and i
nvestor,
co-founder of the
Positive Farmers
Tommy Heffernan
Tommy The Vet
12:30 - 13:45
Lunch and Networking
Session 3 B
13:45 - 15:15
FARM RESILIENCE: Business, Body & Mind
Discover the essential elements for a thriving
dairy farm business. Delve into the financial,
physical and mental fitness required to
succeed in the challenging & changing
landscape of the dairy industry.
•
Insights into financial & business resilience
•
importance of physical health & fitness in
managing demanding farm life
•
how to maintain mental-well being and
motivation through challenges
Chairperson: Gillian
O’Sullivan
Nollaig Heffernan
Independent
Management Consultant
specialising in
Leadership and
Organisational
Psychology.
Roger Adams
Certified strength and
conditioning coach with
the IRFU, a competitive
Masters Class body
builder and a life long
Martial Artist.
Dessie Fitzgerald
Dairy farmer, hurler,
coach
15:15 - 15:30
Comfort Break
Session 4 B
15:30 - 16:00
Panel discussion on key issues facing the
sector and overview of important elements
of the Conference
Chairperson: Jack
Kennedy IFJ
Rhidian Glyn
Catherine Heffernan
Gillian O’Sullivan
Kevin Twomey
Niall Murphy
16:50 - 17:00
Conclusion & Conference close
2025 POSITIVE FARMERS CONFERENCE
OPTION 3 - The 9 habits of effective calf rearing
•
What needs to happen now?
•
Key steps to a healthy calf rearing season
FARM with CLARITY and CONFIDENCE
while INCREASING PROFITS
Better Farming - Better Business - Better Lifestyle
Web: www.positivefarmers.ie - Phone: 353 87 6457987 - Email: info@positivefarmers.ie
DAY 1 WEDNESDAY 10th JANUARY 2024
Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Co-course
Leader of MA in Advanced Facilitation
Skills for Health and Well Being, SETU
DAY 1
Wednesday - 15th January 2025
09:00 - 09:40
Registration, Refreshments & Networking
09:40 - 09:45
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Session 1 A
09:45 - 10:35
Big Picture – Industry Overview Session
Future trends in dairy markets – importance of grass fed
Challenges and opportunities – what we need to focus on
•
International insights plus key aspect to profitable, happy farming
•
Why I’m staking my future in farming
Chairperson: Kevin Twomey
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer and i
nvestor, co-
founder of the Positive Farmers
Session 2 A
10:35 - 12:15
Farm Systems
Focus on margin not output- back to basics
Stocking rate, feed systems, grass growth trends etc. system targets
•
How to work it out?
•
Challenge preconceptions
•
Calving date impact
Chairperson: Gillian O’Sullivan
Paidi Kelly
Director TeamAg Advisory, farming in
partnership & Positive Farmers team
member, Formerly Teagasc.
Piers Badnell
Pasture to Profit Consultant, LIC
Tom Downey
Co Tipperary Dairy farmer
12:15 - 13:25
Lunch and Networking
Session 3 A
13:25 - 15:00
How Can We Get Back to 15tDM/ha?
Review N use, tonnage grown, impact on feed system
•
Clover – has it still a role to play?
•
What are best farmers doing?
•
Lessons from two challenging years
Chairperson: Deirdre Hennessy
Fergal Coughlan
Farm manager, Clonakilty Agricultural
College
John Maher
Teagasc, Moorepark.
Specialist - Grass 10 Manager
15:00 - 15:30
Refreshment Break & Networking
Session 4 A
15:30 - 17:00
Progressing in Partnerships
Hear from top class dairy farmers about their path into dairy farming,
challenges they have encountered along the way lessons they have learnt,
balancing family and farming life and future plans
Chairperson: Niall or Paidi
Liam Hennessy
Area Manager at FDC Group
Rhidian Glyn
A new entrant farmer from Wales
19:30 - ……….
CONFERENCE GALA NETWORKING DINNER
DAY 2
Thursday - 16th January 2025
09:30 - 10:00
Registration, Refreshments & Networking
Workshops
10:00 - 11:00
OPTION 1 - Budget for 2025
•
Banking insights cash-flow, loan structure, etc.
•
Template/ Budgeting/ Keeping it update
OPTION 2 - Land Purchasing - Pitfalls & Planning
•
Is there a crash coming?
•
What factors are affecting supply/demand?
•
Taxation?
OPTION 3 - The 9 habits of effective calf rearing
•
What needs to happen now?
•
Key steps to a healthy calf rearing season
11:00 - 11:30
Refreshments & Networking
Workshops
11:30 - 12:30
OPTION 1 - Budget for 2025
•
Banking insights cash-flow, loan structure, etc.
•
Template/ Budgeting/ Keeping it update
OPTION 2 - Land Purchasing - Pitfalls & Planning
•
Is there a crash coming?
•
What factors are affecting supply/demand?
•
Taxation?
OPTION 3 - The 9 habits of effective calf rearing
•
What needs to happen now?
•
Key steps to a healthy calf rearing season
12:30 - 13:45
Lunch and Networking
Session 3 B
13:45 - 15:15
FARM RESILIENCE: Business, Body & Mind
Discover the essential elements for a thriving dairy farm business. Delve into
the financial, physical and mental fitness required to succeed in the
challenging & changing landscape of the dairy industry.
•
Insights into financial & business resilience
•
importance of physical health & fitness in managing demanding farm life
•
how to maintain mental-well being and motivation through challenges
Chairperson: Gillian O’Sullivan
Nollaig Heffernan
Independent Management Consultant
specialising in Leadership and
Organisational Psychology.
Roger Adams
Certified strength and conditioning
coach with the IRFU, a competitive
Masters Class body builder and a life
long Martial Artist.
Dessie Fitzgerald
Dairy farmer, hurler, coach
15:15 - 15:30
Comfort Break
Session 4 B
15:30 - 16:00
Panel discussion on key issues facing the sector and overview of important
elements of the Conference
Chairperson: Jack Kennedy IFJ
Rhidian Glyn
Catherine Heffernan
Gillian O’Sullivan
Kevin Twomey & Niall Murphy
16:50 - 17:00
Conclusion & Conference close
FARM with CLARITY and CONFIDENCE
while INCREASING PROFITS
2025 POSITIVE FARMERS CONFERENCE
Pat O Meara
Dairy farmer and Nuffield scholar
Tommy Heffernan
Tommy The Vet
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer and
i
nvestor, co-founder of the Positive
Farmers
Pat Byrnes
BOI Agri Development Manager
Pat O Meara
Dairy farmer and Nuffield scholar
Tommy Heffernan
Tommy The Vet
Michael Murphy
Irish & international
farmer and
i
nvestor, co-founder of the Positive
Farmers
Pat Byrnes
BOI Agri Development Manager
