Dairy Conference 2026: Driving Profitability, Delivering Sustainability.
Dale Farm’s CEO Nick Whelan will outline the next phase of the dairy industry’s sustainability journey when he delivers a keynote opening presentation at the Dairy Conference. In the first session of the day, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland CEO Ian Stevenson will also chair a panel discussion with the Sustainability Managers of Dale Farm, Lakeland Dairies and Leprino to explore the next phase of the dairy sustainability journey in Northern Ireland.
Nick Whelan – who is also Vice Chair of Dairy UK – is set to reflect on the success of the Dairy Roadmap since its launch, and where it is headed following the recent launch of Sustainable Dairy Pathways Part 1: The Path to 2030.
A collaborative dairy sector initiative designed to reduce environmental impacts throughout the dairy supply chain, it has driven significant progress in emissions reduction, energy efficiency, water usage and waste reduction, while helping to establish ambitious environmental targets.
Operating under a single governance structure, the Dairy Roadmap brings together dairy farmers, retailers, foodservice, wholesale organisations and processors, ensuring that dairy farmers have an equal voice in shaping the industry’s sustainability journey while maintaining high standards of animal welfare.
Mr Whelan’s presentation at this year’s Dairy Conference, which takes place on 20 October and is hosted by Dairy Council for Northern Ireland (DCNI), AgriSearch, CAFRE and the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), will explore how farmers, processors and wider industry partners can further work together to deliver a more sustainable and resilient dairy sector locally.
Looking ahead to the conference, Dairy Council CEO Ian Stevenson said:
“Sustainability is no longer a standalone issue for our sector – it is a commercial and legislative reality central to our future competitiveness, resilience and ability to meet the expectations of consumers and markets around the world.
“The Dairy Roadmap demonstrates what can be achieved when farmers, processors and industry partners work together towards shared goals. As we look to the next phase of that journey, it is fundamentally important that the progress made to date is recognised, while also ensuring we remain in the driving seat showing leadership and ambition about what more can be achieved.
“Our 2026 Conference offers a timely opportunity to bring that conversation to Northern Ireland, sharing practical experience and exploring how collaboration, innovation and investment can support a sustainable dairy sector for generations to come.”
The Dairy Conference is also going to explore opportunities and challenges facing the sector, with talks and panel discussions focused on genetic improvement, sustainable dairy production and practical on farm case studies. The event will also highlight how data and research can inform decisions to improve on-farm profitability and sustainability.
The Dairy Conference at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus is free to attend but booking is essential. Please register here.
Pictured DCNI CEO, Ian Stevenson