Farming

Farming Seminar | Jan 2012

22 December 2011
by Lismullin
in Activities, Farming
No comments yet

The Future of Farming

Monday 30 January 2012 | 9.30am – 5.00pm

“As prices firm up, farmers are looking ahead with confidence and considering expansion. They key point is to plan carefully and prioritise the steps within your plan to ensure you make the most efficient use of resources and avoid pitfalls. In that way you will end up with a more profitable business and not just a larger one.” [Mark Moore, Editor, Today’s Farm, Tegasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority]

This year’s Lismullin Farming Seminar will look at the future of farming in Ireland, the challenges and the opportunities. It is a good time to set aside some time to plan for the future. As in previous years, this farming seminar will have a great line up of speakers whose experience and expertise will be well worth hearing. As is customary, there will be opportunities for questions and discussion so that each topic is explored in depth. The Lismullin Farming seminar will help attendees in their planning process for the future.

Speakers

John Moloney B.Agr.Sc., MBA is Group Managing Director of Glanbia. He joined the Group in 1987 and held a number of senior management positions including Chief Executive of Food Ingredients and Agribusiness. Prior to joining the Group he worked with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and in the meat industry in Ireland. He is a director of The Irish Dairy Board Co-operative Limited, DCC plc and a Council Member of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation.

James Murphy is a fulltime sheep, beef and tillage farmer from Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. Together with his wife Chrissie and children, James runs a 100ha farm on the banks of the river Nore. James was elected Chairman of the IFA National Sheep Committee in January 2010 and has been an enthusiastic leader in the revival of the sheep sector back to viable prices and profitability at farm level. He is a member of the EU Sheep Advisory Committee and COPA Sheep Working Party in Brussels as well as a member of the Board Bia Livestock Board.

Sharon Clarke lives on a farm near Kells with her husband Robert and their eight children. She spends her time running the home. She will dicuss the challenges and opportunities that face farm families today.

Michael Hoey, together with his brother Gabriel, have a 100 year family tradition in agriculture and farm 750ha of cereals, potatoes and vegetables in North County Dublin. They are also the owner directors of Country Crest, a major supplier of fresh and chilled products to the multiples. They have grown their business with a commitment to providing a consistent supply of highest quality fresh produce.

Pat Smith is a north Meath man, a graduate of General Agriculture from UCD and holds a Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance. After graduating in 1983, he held various technical sales and advisory roles in the east of Scotland with Scottish Agricultural Industries. In 1989, Pat joined the IFA as Executive Secretary of the Farm Business and Environment Committees. In 1990, he took over as Director of Organisation, and in March 2009, he became General Secretary of IFA. He is a member of COPA (The European Farmers’ Organisation) and The National Economic and Social Council (NESC).

Programme

09.30am – Registration & refreshments

Morning Sessions: chaired by Matt Dempsey, CEO and Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal

10.00am - Advancing Irish farming & food: opportunities and challenges [Pat Smith, General Secretary of the IFA]
11.00am – Prospects for milk production [John Moloney, Chief Executive, Glanbia]
12.00pm – Opportunities and challenges facing farm families [Sharon Clarke]
1.15pm – Lunch

Afternoon Sessions: chaired by Damien English TD, Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Commitee for Jobs, Social Protection & Education

2.30pm - Irish agriculture and food – A Positive Future [Michael Hoey, Managing Director, Country Crest]
3.30pm – Refreshments
4.00pm - The impact of Ireland’s economic challenges on agriculture [James Murphy, Chairman of the IFA National Sheep Committee]
5.00pm – Conclusion