National Dairy Council

According to data published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland in July 2024 [1], emissions from agriculture decreased by 4.6% in 2023. This was largely due to an 18% reduction in fertiliser use, a 27% decrease in use of calcium carbonate (lime) and a 2.1% reduction in methane from livestock.   As well as being food producers delivering high quality dairy products for consumption in over 130 countries, #IrishDairy farmers are consumers and concerned citizens. They work hard every day to reduce their environmental impact and address the global climate challenge we all face.   This is important for the future because Irish dairy sustains 17,500 family farms, supports more than 55,000 jobs and delivers €6.3bn in export revenues to the economy each year. For more information, read the full report 👉 [1] https://lnkd.in/eVzV-q8p #IrishDairy #FromTheGroundUp #EPAReport

What a super time at The Nutrition Society Congress 2024 last week! 📅 📈 📰 If you missed our exhibition stand, our nutrition publications can be downloaded here 👉 https://lnkd.in/emqkq8TA. Research we supported was presented by Emma Kane, University College Dublin - UCD Institute of Food and Health, which shows low dairy intake is linked to worrying shortfall of #calcium among Irish teens 📉 – only 4% of teens are meeting the recommended guidelines of 5 servings per day. We collaborated on a symposium with our colleagues at the #EuropeanMilkForum, where the overall message from #nutrition experts was that we need to consider the holistic nature of foods and the complex mixture of nutrients provided by the #dairyfoodmatrix, when considering the shift to more plant rich diets.   Across all the excellent research presented, here are some of some of our take aways: ✅ Data shows milk consumption in Ireland has been falling since the1940’s. We were having ~1 pint of milk/day and it’s now <200 ml (1 glass). Calcium intake has fallen in line with this, especially in female adolescents (Breige McNulty, International Union of Nutritional Sciences research) ✅ Conversely, cheese intake has increased over time, and has flattened off in recent years (Breige McNulty, International Union of Nutritional Sciences research) ✅ Pasture-based grazing produces milk with a more favourable nutritional profile. However, more clinical evidence is needed to explore any impact on human health (Professor Nigel Scollan, Queen's University Belfast) ✅ Micronutrient deficiency continues to be a global problem. Iron, zinc and folate are the most important deficiencies to predict ‘hidden hunger’ and more robust data is needed (Professor Kevin Cashman, University College Cork) ✅ A mass of data is being generated around the shift to healthy #sustainablediets. For example, nutrition research is mapping our food system for opportunities for change and is taking a multi-stakeholder approach. It will look at animal production systems, low-carbon farming, and healthy sustainable diets. Industry partners are invited, and the outcomes will address needs of industry, and facilitate engagement across sectors to transform the food system. (Professor Aedín Cassidy, Queen's University Belfast Institute for Global Food Security) #NSCongress24 #IrishDairy #FromTheGroundUp #Nutrition #Event

Day one at The Nutrition Society Congress 2024 ✅ Poster presentation by Emma Kane, UCD Institute of Food and Health, shows that low dairy intake linked to worrying shortfall of #calcium among Irish teenagers - only 4% meeting the recommended guidelines of 5 servings per day. Despite low intakes, dairy consumption in teens correlated with intake of several important nutrients. Higher consumers of dairy were found to have an overall higher diet quality. No differences in body weight between higher and lower consumers of dairy. To read the full report 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekFFxf4k Find out more about the nutritional benefits of dairy and the recommended intakes 👉 https://lnkd.in/gYfTftRt Breige McNulty #NSCongress24 #NutritionResearch #IrishDairy #NutritiousFromTheGroundUp

We are a proud supporter of The Nutrition Society Congress 2024 in Belfast, UK. The Congress will showcase cutting edge research and current insights in the field of #NutritionScience. 📄🥛 In 2023, the NDC commissioned a dairy-specific analysis of the National Teens’ Survey II to further explore the contribution of the ‘milk, yogurt and cheese’ food group to the nutritional quality of Irish teenagers’ diets. The findings of the analysis will be presented at the Congress, and can be found on our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekFFxf4k 👥 If you are attending the Congress, join us on Thursday 4th July for the satellite symposium ‘The role of dairy foods in the protein transition: does the food matrix matter?’ hosted by the #EuropeanMilkForum (EMF). 📚 Visit our stand and avail of our scientific literature on a wide range of topics, including food allergy, lactose intolerance, inflammation, sustainable diets and much more! #IrishDairy #NutritiousFromTheGroundUp #FoodMatrix #Nutrition #NutritionResearch #NutritionEvents

Following the publication of the Government's National Biomethane Strategy, Declan Murray, CEO of Biocore Environmental, spoke to the Dairy Matters #podcast about the role of biogas anaerobic digestion plants in converting organic farm waste into renewable energy. ✅ How likely is a rollout of biogas facilities? ✅ What role would farms and rural communities play in the process? ✅ What are the main obstacles? ✅ What are the potential benefits for Irish dairy farmers? Listen to the full podcast on our website ➡ https://lnkd.in/eG2N_ePC #IrishDairy #FromTheGroundUp #RenewableEnergy #DairyMatters

Fractures are a leading cause for hospital admissions in Ireland, with about 25K per year. We were pleased to support GP education in this area with a Medcafe.ie webinar on 'Latest Insights in Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk'. Consultant Physician and Geriatrician, Prof Frances Dockery from Beaumont Hospital updated GPs on fracture statistics, prevention strategies and osteoporosis management. Ireland’s proportion of 75-84 yr olds has increased by 28% in the latest census so healthy ageing has never been so important. Peak bone mass is achieved by age 30, making #bonehealth an important consideration at all ages, particularly the teenage years. Dairy provides calcium, protein and phosphorus, nutrients which are needed for the maintenance of normal bones. Prof Dockery highlighted a large intervention study in Australian care homes which showed the value of dairy intake for this elderly cohort. Department of Health - Ireland guidelines recommend 3 servings from the ‘Milk, yogurt and cheese’ food group each day and 3-4 for those aged 65+ years, and 5 for those aged 9-18 years. #Osteoporosis #FractureRisk #IrishDairy #FromTheGroundUp

We are delighted to support Agri Aware's Open Farm 2024 event on Saturday 15th June. We will be joining the team on Stephen Byrne's dairy farm in Co. Kildare for a fun-filled day of learning for the entire family! 🐄 🌿 “From a self-guided tour of a typical family run Irish dairy farm, to a mini-farm village showcasing many of the other Irish agricultural production systems, to cooking demos, games for the kids to enjoy and delicious local Irish food to taste, it promises to be a great day", says Marcus O'Halloran, Agri Aware Executive Director. Thanks to Stephen and the family for opening their farm to the public, helping to bridge the gap between dairy producers and consumers. For more information, visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/ePghbUpX Pictured: Mark Keller, Interim CEO National Dairy Council, is joined by Agri Aware Executive Director Marcus O'Halloran, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and host farmer Stephen Byrne. #IrishDairy #CommittedFromTheGroundUp #OpenFarm #Event #SustainableDairy

We had the pleasure of sponsoring a large show garden at Bord Bia Bloom over the June Bank Holiday weekend in Dublin. Over the 5-day event, the garden entitled ‘Nourishing Dairy - From The Ground Up’ was the ideal backdrop to a number of panel discussions, cooking demos, a performance by All-Ireland Jiving Champions, virtual reality experiences (and even a #photobooth to celebrate #WorldMilkDay!). Designed by Hungarian Garden Designer and regular at #BordBiaBloom, Tünde Perry, the garden was created as an impactful space forging a deeper connection between Irish consumers and #sustainabledairy production, as well as promoting the essential nutritional credentials and great taste of Irish Dairy. A massive thank you to Airfield Estate’s Lisa Davies and Eliza Sullivan, Food Journalist Dee Laffan and Cookery Broadcaster and Writer Aisling Larkin (Mb.Eat, M.Sc, B.Ed) for the delicious, nutritious and entertaining cooking demos, made in the garden’s #SustainableKitchen! Check out the highlights 👇 #BordBiaBloom2024 #IrishDairy #FromTheGroundUp Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board

Join us in celebrating #WorldMilkDay by raising a glass of delicious and nutritious Irish milk 🥛 Our dairy farmers are committed to environmentally sustainable farming practices to continue nourishing people at home and abroad 🐄 💚 Find out more 👉 https://ndc.ie #IrishDairy #FromTheGroundUp #EnjoyDairy

Our latest DN Forum publication for health professionals is now available 👉 https://lnkd.in/gUSwFBJr! The relationship between food and gut health is intricately connected, with gastrointestinal discomfort commonly linked to specific foods. Dairy avoidance is often attributed to being lactose intolerant but self-diagnosis and misinformation can cause confusion. Many digestive disorders have shared symptoms, which means accurate diagnosis is key to appropriate management. This edition of DN Forum explores the latest #research on lactose and the gut, with a particular focus on lactose intolerance, potential benefits of lactose and adaptions of the gut. Thanks to author Sarah Keogh! Food for Health Ireland #IrishDairy #FromTheGroundUp #DNForum