Penn State Dairy Science Club Members Visit Ireland

Fifty-one members of the Penn State Dairy Science Club visited the Republic of Ireland in March during their spring break to learn about the Irish dairy industry with visits to several dairy herds, a bioscience company, a research center and a dairy equipment manufacturer. Funded largely by their annual fundraisers, the Nittany Lion Fall Classic and the Holiday Cheesebox sale, the trip offered students insight into that country's largely seasonal dairy industry and a close-up view of the culture.

Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, said, "The Dairy Science Club's annual spring trip offers an exceptional learning opportunity as they travel to other countries and experience the culture and gain an understanding of dairying in other parts of the world. I commend the students for their hard work in raising the funds to make the trip possible, and for their interest in learning about the dairy industry in Ireland."

Kacey Garland, a sophomore from Kutztown, considered the trip a wonderful opportunity to explore and experience the country and culture. She said, "I believe that learning how things are done elsewhere is always a benefit because it opens up your mind and your eyes to new ideas or ways of doing things that maybe you would have never thought of before. I enjoyed learning about the grazing system that is used on practically every farm in Ireland, especially since it was pretty unfamiliar to me. Irish law was also interesting to learn about the quotas that are imposed upon the Irish agricultural industry unlike here."

Joshua Ebert, sophomore, Blairsville, said, "The Ireland trip was a once in a life time experience! I have learned my education is not only about grades but the opportunities I take while here at Penn State. When it comes to the Irish dairy industry, it was interesting to see how most of the farms were a seasonal grazing operation, calving in the spring and drying off in the early winter." He said he has a much better appreciation of "everything we have in the United States," but very much appreciated the friendliness and helpfulness of the Irish people. Kelly Over, Williamsburg, "Going to Ireland was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The trip was organized, well planned, and balanced; we were able to see the Irish dairy industry, but we were submersed in their culture and learned about true Irish lifestyles. Without being part of Penn State Dairy Science Club, I would have never had this amazing opportunity."

Students learned that the seasonal dairy herds take advantage of the lush pastures throughout Ireland in the spring. Animals usually graze from February through November on ryegrass pastures, and many herds are supplemented with concentrates. Despite an average herd size of 55 cows, most herds are milked in parlors and housed in free stall barns, called sheds.

Because the industry is seasonal, production of cheese and butter utilizes the large influx of milk during the spring and summer. To ensure enough fluid milk for Ireland year round, some dairy producers freshen a portion of their herd or their entire herd in the fall and are compensated for the increased feed expense during winter. Ireland exports approximately 70% of their total production. It currently has a milk production quota system, though it is likely to be discontinued in 2011-12. The current milk price converted from Euros and liters is about $12.50 to 13.00/ cwt US.

Students visited the research facilities of Alltech, Inc., an animal bioscience company, where they received an overview of the Irish dairy industry, research projects and products, and educational opportunities.

They also visited the Moorepark Dairy Research Center in Fermoy, the Irish equivalent of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, where they heard presentations on the research projects focused on grazing systems, milk quality and milking technology and toured the research herd. In a visit to a 250-cow herd owned by Shane Crean, they observed a 50-cow carousel parlor where cows are milked twice daily. Representing a large herd for Ireland, Crean's herd recently instituted a crossbreeding program with Jerseys to improve fertility. The cows are grazed for 10 months but kept in a freestall during inclement weather.

Dairymaster, a milking system and dairy equipment manufacturer, located north of Tralee, hosted the group, with Fergus O'Meara and Edmond Harty providing information on the mechanics of milking technology, current research and the company's new products, concluding the visit with a tour of the factory. Dairymaster also hosted a catered lunch.

O'Meara led the group to Golden Hill Farm, a productive 90-cow herd of purebred Holstein-Friesian cattle, owned by Gerard and Ann O'Hanlon. As they toured the farm, the students observed the cows grazing and in freestalls, the swing parlor, feeding systems and calves in hutches. The herd is 70 percent spring calving and 30 percent autumn calving. In addition to pasture, the herd is fed concentrate in the parlor, grass and corn silage, crimped high moisture wheat and minerals.

A visit to the Irish National Stud included a guided tour with students seeing mares and foals on pasture, housing facilities, foaling pens and stallions. Established in 1946, the Irish National Stud combines an active role in the development and promotion of Irish bloodstock with its role as one of the country's major tourist attractions. It is the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public. At the Horse Museum, students learned more about Ireland's love of horse racing. The stop also included a visit to the Japanese Gardens, designed in 1911 to symbolize the journey of life.

An important part of the trip was to learn the culture and history of Ireland, and long days provided students with many opportunities to see well known sites. A day in Dublin allowed them to attend church, visit Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the National Museum, the Old Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Brewery Storehouse, which included a fabulous view of the city from a glass-enclosed top floor. At Trinity College, they could view the famous Book of Kells and the archives of Conan Doyle, author of Sherlock Holmes, as well as the archives of Edgar Allen Poe.

A visit to the Blarney Castle and Woolen Mills in County Cork offered tours of the castle, the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone to gain "eloquence," and the chance to purchase gifts from the woolen mills gift shop.

An interesting drive through the narrow roads of the Ring of Kerry in County Kerry on the southwestern tip of Ireland offered views of spectacular mountains, sparkling lakes and sheep herds grazing hillsides. Throughout the trip, their multi-talented bus driver, Pat Fitzpatrick, offered commentary on Irish culture, points of interest, history and politics, all delivered with an Irish sense of humor. An educational tour of the Muckross House estate provided an education on the Victorian Era in Ireland.

After spending a night in Limerick along the Shannon River , the trip continued with a tour of Bunratty Castle built in 1425 and the adjacent restored village with thatched roof houses, mills and barns.