Agriculture - Dairy Herd Management
The training will equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and capabilities for the role of dairy herd technician/manager on their home farm or as an employed farm technician, herd manager.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
2 years
Entry Requirements
There is a separate application process for each programme. Applicants must be 17 years old or over on 1st January following entry to the Level 5.
Students must successfully complete the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture, or equivalent course, to meet the entry requirement for the Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Herd Management).
Applicants with relevant prior learning and/or life experience will also be considered.
Careers / Further progression
Learners who successfully complete the Advanced Certificate in Agriculture may apply to progress to the Teagasc Higher Education Farm Manager Apprenticeship.
Higher Education Links Scheme:
Learners may seek opportunities in higher education through the Higher Education Links Scheme. To get full details of the range of Higher Education institutions and programmes available under the scheme, please contact the admissions office of the individual Higher Education institution or visit www.cao.ie.
Advanced entry into higher education:
Holders of a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture can apply for advanced entry into certain degree programmes. Places are limited. Additional information can be accessed via the relevant college website.
Employment:
Graduates of the Advanced Certificate can progress into employment in roles such as a dairy herd technician or herd managers.
Further information
Starts Late August / Early September 2024
Applications are made online through the Teagasc public website
Grants
The Teagasc Authority approved the introduction of means testing of maintenance grants for students attending Further Level Courses at Teagasc and Private Agricultural Colleges in 2012.
Means testing will apply to Teagasc Level 5 and Level 6 full-time courses for the academic year 2023/2024.
Teagasc student maintenance grants are paid through Teagasc and the grant scheme is managed by Teagasc. The Teagasc grant scheme will be implemented along the lines of the National Student Grant Scheme 2021 but varies in respect of what 'add backs' are used to determine overall reckonable income.
Please note that applicants cannot apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) to be means tested for a Teagasc Student Maintenance Grant.
All queries on Teagasc Student Maintenance Grants should be directed to:
Email: teagascmaintenancegrant@southwestern.ie
Phone: 0818 161 000
Additional information can be accessed at: https://www.teagasc.ie/education/going-to-college/student-maintenance-grants/
June / July
Application Process:
The initial application should be made for the Teagasc Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture Programme. Applications are made online through the Teagasc public website.
On successful completion of the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture, applications can be submitted for the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture.
- Application weblink above.
The recommended training for someone seeking a career in the dairy farm sector is to complete the Teagasc Level 5 Cert in Agriculture Programme & the Teagasc Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Herd Management Programme)
This full-time dairy education option is offered at:
Delivery locations
This dairy education option is offered at:
Teagasc Ballyhaise College, Co. Cavan
Teagasc Clonakilty College, Co. Cork
Gurteen Agricultural College, Co. Tipperary
Teagasc Kildalton College, Co. Kilkenny
Mountbellew Agricultural College, Co. Galway
Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick
Sample content from the Teagasc Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture programme
What will I study?
QQI Code Title Level Credits
5N20368 Principles of Agriculture 5 15
5N20371 Farm Safety and Farm Assurance 5 15
5N20374 Soils and the Environment 5 10
5N20377 Farm Business and Technology 5 10
5N20380 Safe Use of Pesticide Products 5 5
5N20388 Beef Husbandry * 5 10
5N20396 Dairy Husbandry * 5 10
5N20399 Grass Production * 5 10
5N1433 Work Practice 5 15
Electives* 5 20
Sample content from the Teagasc Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Programme (Dairy Herd Management)
QQI Code Title Level Credits
6N20462 Farm Management and Business Planning 6 10
6N20463 Sustainable Farming in the Environment 6 10
6N20464 Sustainable Farm Development 6 15
6N0305 Managing Ruminant Nutrition 6 10
6N3525 Applied Livestock Breeding 6 5
6N20471 Dairy Husbandry Management 6 15
6N20472 Grassland Management 6 5
6N20476 Milking Process Technique 6 5
6N20485 Grazing Platform Designs 6 5
6N1947 Work Practice 6 15
Electives* 6 25
*Choice of module will be at the discretion of the college/centre
5M20454 - Agriculture Level 5
6M20486 - Agriculture Level 6
Qualifications: These programmes are validated by QQI and lead to a Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture Award (5M20454) and a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (6M20486).
Kildalton: 051 644 400
Clonakilty: 023 883 2500
Ballyhaise: 049 433 8108
Pallaskenry: 061 393 100
Gurteen: 067 21282
Mountbellew: 0909 679205
web: https://www.teagasc.ie/education/courses/