Agenda

9.30

Welcome and opening remarks from the chair

  • Ivan Yates, Broadcaster and former Minister for Agriculture

9.40

Ministerial Address

  • Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

9.45

Dairy 4.0 - The Overview

An introduction and overview of the impact of new advances as the dairy sector embraces the fourth revolution in agriculture. A look at future-proofing Irish dairy by reducing the carbon hoofprint, embracing DairyTech advancements and implementing circular dairy practices.

  • Billy Kelleher, MEP

10.00

Irish Dairy - Getting it Right

At a point where we can reevaluate the dairy sector due to external attention, our panel answers the question, are we getting it right? This panel discusses how to make the best choices for dairy in Ireland, considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, along with challenges like climate shifts and seasonal changes, farm sustainability, research, effective communication, and adding value to products.

  • Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc

  • Orlaith Tynan, Head of Sustainability, Dairygold

  • Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

  • Kevin Maher, Senior Executive, Dairy Sustainability Ireland

10.45

CattleEye Case Study: AI and its impact on Dairy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionise Irish dairy right through the supply chain by enhancing efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare through advanced data analytics and automation. What are the opportunities, challenges and potential impacts of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) throughout the sector.

  • Terry Canning, Co-founder & CEO, CattleEye

11.00

Coffee Break

11.30

Business Model For A Dairy Circular Economy

This panel explores how to create a sustainable business model for the dairy sector within a circular economy, focusing on the entire ecosystem of circular economy concepts. The discussion will focus on how to create a more resilient supply chain by promoting local sourcing, reducing dependency on external resources, mitigating risks associated with resource scarcity and helping met ESG and Sustainable Development Goals

  • John Brosnan, Bioeconomy Executive, ICOS

  • James Gaffey, Co-Lead, CircBio Research Group

  • Dr Ruairi Friel, CEO GlasPortBio

  • Dr Chris Mann, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Bennamann


12.10

Supply Chain Welfare, Sustainable Dairy and Animal Welfare

  • Laura Boyle, Teagasc & President European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) Health and Welfare Study Commission

  • Francesca Johansen, Doctor of Philosophy, Queen's University Belfast


12.30

Dairy 4.0 Talks

Thought provoking speakers will discuss groundbreaking concepts vital for the dairy industry's future planning, covering regenerative agriculture, connected agricultural approaches, disruptive product technologies and market-changing alternatives.

  • Brendan Guinan, ‘Regen Dairy’ Regenerative Agriculture Consulant

  • Dr Chris Mann, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Bennamann

1.00

Lunch

1.45

The Dairy 4.0 Leader Discussion

A panel featuring CEOs and industry leaders from dairy and related sectors, discuss the key topics so that the industry can come together under strong leadership and embrace the challenges, optimise the opportunities and position ourselves to secure the long term future of Irish dairy

  • Kevin Coffey, Global Head of Smart Farming, Datamars

  • Cathal McCormack, Country Manager, Alltech

  • Owen Brennan, Chairman, Devenish

2.25

Investment and Dairy Consumer 2030

Looking ahead at trends, research and investment in innovation, the panel brings together investment experts and dairy market heads to strategise on navigating dairy disruptors and evolving consumer preferences, aiming to optimise returns for Irish dairy products and ensure long-term economic sustainability in the dairy supply chain.

  • Fiona McCabe, Senior Development Advisor Dairy, Enterprise Ireland

  • Diarmaid Mac Colgáin, Founder and CEO, Concept Dairy

  • Danny O’Brien, Managing Director of EMEA, THRIVE / SVG Ventures

3.05

Ground Level Dairy - Carbon and Nitrates

Irish dairy farming is addressing challenges to its social license to farm which is publicly coming under pressure in areas like carbon and nitrates. This panel is focused on reducing the sector's carbon hoofprint, enhancing water quality impact, and embracing challenges like generational renewal to ensure future sustainability and community buy-in.

  • Bridget Lynch,  Senior Research Officer, Teagasc Johnstown Castle

  • Dr David Styles, Associate Professor in Agricultural Sustainability, University of Galway

  • Paul Smyth, Financial and Dairy Policy Officer, ICMSA

  • Padraic Fogarty, Ecologist


3.45

The Dairy Tech Pitch Competition

Companies compete in a pitch competition to present innovative Dairy 4.0 ideas and technologies aimed at transforming and future proofing an aspect of the dairy supply chain either within the farmgate or through to consumers.

  • Pitseal

  • Moonsyst

  • Freshgraze

Supported by:

4.15

Summit ends