UCD Launch Day – Spring 2025
JFC Partners with UCD to Advance Dairy Calf Research at New €1 Million Facility
At JFC Agri, we are passionate about innovation in agriculture, and our commitment to improving dairy farming practices has led us to an exciting new partnership with University College Dublin (UCD). We are proud to support the new €1 million Dairy Calf Education and Research Facility at UCD Lyons Farm, a state-of-the-art centre designed to revolutionize calf rearing and dairy heifer research.
A Game-Changer for Dairy Calf Rearing
This cutting-edge facility will play a crucial role in enhancing calf health, welfare, and early-life nutrition, ultimately leading to stronger, more productive animals. With the capacity to rear 180 dairy calves from birth to five months, the centre will serve as both a research hub and an educational resource, equipping agriculture and veterinary students with hands-on experience in best-practice calf management.
JFC’s Role in Advancing Research & Best Practices
As an industry leader in agricultural solutions, JFC Agri has always focused on innovation and efficiency. Our expertise in calf housing, The JFC Evolution Automatic Calf Feeding systems, aligns perfectly with the research objectives of the new UCD facility. By supporting this initiative, we are investing in the future of dairy farming, ensuring that farmers have access to the latest scientific insights and practical solutions to improve calf rearing.
The research conducted at this facility will provide valuable data on key factors such as:
✅ Growth rates and feed efficiency
✅ Health, welfare, and behaviour monitoring
✅ Sustainable integration of dairy and beef systems
✅ Environmental impact and carbon footprint reduction
A Collaborative Effort for the Future of Dairy
The Dairy Calf Education and Research Facility was made possible through the generous support of six leading industry partners, including JFC Agri, Dairy Research Ireland, FBD Insurance, MSD Animal Health Ireland, Ornua, and ABP Ireland. Together, we are committed to driving progress in the dairy sector and ensuring that Ireland remains a global leader in sustainable and efficient dairy farming.
As Professor Orla Feely, President of UCD, stated:
“The addition of this new world-class Dairy Calf Education and Research Facility to UCD Lyons Farm will ensure University College Dublin remains at the vanguard of agricultural and veterinary research.”
