Hayes Presents 'Better Milking Skills Course' Certificates to Sucessful Participants
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes T.D. today presented certificates to the first group of dairy farmers who have recently completed the ‘Better Milking Skills Course’ organised by the Farm Relief Service, in conjunction with Teagasc and Animal Health Ireland.
Minister Hayes said“In recent years, my Department has placed greater emphasis on encouraging new entrants into dairying. It is vital that these new entrants, as well as any labour which they might hire, have access to the most up to date skills and knowledge of the milking process and for that reason I heartily congratulate Teagasc, the Farm Relief Service and Animal Health Ireland, with the support of my Department, for coming together to develop and deliver the ‘Best Practice in Milking’ training module.
The course, which was attended by almost 400 participants, combined the theoretical and practical elements of the milking process with an overall objective of ensuring that participants, on completion of the course, were skilled in milking routine and effective milking practices. The successful participants were awarded a FETAC/QQI level 6 Certificate.
Referring to the Department’s support for the course, the Minister said “My Department sees such a course as a vital element in its ongoing drive to improve the skills of all those involved in milk production, so as to ensure that best practices are adopted at all stages of the milk supply chain and we were delighted to be able to assist these three bodies in getting the programme off the ground.
The Minister went on to indicate that, in response to the success of the 2014 scheme, his Department would provide a similar level of support for a 2015 Programme.
In conclusion, the Minister said “I extend my congratulations to all involved in this great initiative – Teagasc, FRS, AHI but most specially the farmers who took the time and made the decision to participate in the course”.
View Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 149/15 (pdf 415Kb)
Date Released: 27 August 2015
