Study at UCD

• Student Experience
• Degree Spotlight
  

 

• Prospective Students
  

 

Gaeilge

Privacy

Disclaimer

Freedom of Information

Acceptable Use Policy

In 2008, Irish agri-food and drinks exports were valued at approximately €8.16bn, of which some 27% was dairy products and ingredients. The new Dairy Business degree at UCD will create the future leaders of this major industry, which currently employs 20,000 dairy farmers, 8,500 people in processing industry and 4,500 in ancillary services.

The 1.11 million dairy cows in Ireland in 2008 produced thousands of millions litres of milk for consumption as liquid milk, butter, cheese, ingredients, and other products created in world-leading facilities. However, the industry faced extremely tough economic conditions, and last year saw a decrease of an estimated 5% in total dairy exports, down to a value of €2.02. The industry faces further challenges through the restructuring of the industry, and the phasing out of milk quotas in the coming years.

Despite recent instability, the outlook in the medium term is positive due to significant world demand for dairy products based on an increasing world population and economic growth in developing countries – and a business approach is required to capitalise on the opportunities that will present themselves in the future.

Bachelor of Agricultural Science Dairy Business
This 4-year programme was created in close collaboration with the dairy industry and has a very practical focus. It is designed to provide students entering the dairy business (dairy farming or supporting industries) with a high level of scientific, technical and business skills.

In the Stages 1, 2 and 4 students will study at UCD, while stage three will take place at Teagasc Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, Co Cork, Kildalton Agricultural College, Pilltown, Co Kilkenny. It will also include of six months Professional Work Experience placement, with opportunities to work in New Zealand between July and December – the peak times of the country’s dairying year. 

Stage one combines a range of business, science, mathematics and technology related modules delivered from across the university. Introductory Chemistry, Animal Biology and Evolution and Cell and Plant Biology modules provide students with the necessary scientific foundations. The business and technology related modules offered by the UCD Quinn School of Business and the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Sciences.

In Stage two students build on this scientific base by taking a wide range of modules from relevant applied sciences such as Animal Reproduction, Animal Breeding, Dairy Production and Animal Nutrition. Other modules will further build on business and communication skills including Written Communications, Managing Employee Relations and Business Management. Options exist to increase the number of business modules taken in Stage 2 and also to study Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy.

In Stage three of the programme, students will undertake “Technical Management of a Dairy Farm” at Teagasc, Kildalton Agricultural College in semester 1 prior to commencing Professional Work Experience placement. Modules such as Grassland Management and Applied Dairy Cow Nutrition, Applied Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Dairy Systems and Herd Health will be undertaken at Teagasc Moorepark in semester two.

In the final Stage, students consolidate their understanding of all modules studied and will undertake a range of business and science modules such as Food and Agribusiness Strategy, Leadership and Change Management, Farm Business Management, Advanced Dairy Production, Grass and Forage Production and Entrepreneurial Management.

Career Opportunities
In addition to the highly skilled role of dairy farm management, opportunities exist in a wide variety of areas including: advisory, research, animal feed industry, banking, teaching and consultancy services.  Research opportunities to masters and PhD level may also be available.