JFC partner with UCD

JFC partner with UCD Lyons Dairy Calf Education and Research Facility 

The UCD Lyons Dairy Calf Education and Research Facility has been built to provide a state-of-the-art platform for high-quality education and research on dairy calf health, welfare, and development. Fully completed, the facility will be fully operational in Spring 2025, with the arrival of the first dairy calves. This world-class resource is designed to address critical challenges in dairy calf rearing and support the sustainability of the Irish dairy and beef sectors. 

The facility has the capacity to rear 180 calves from birth up to five months of age, covering early life, pre-weaning, and post-weaning production stages. Designed using the best national and international knowledge in calf housing, it incorporates state-of-the-art infrastructure and precision agriculture technologies. These advancements allow researchers to continuously monitor and assess calf growth, feed intake, efficiency, health, welfare, behavior, and overall performance. 

The development of this state-of-the-art facility is made possible through a strong consortium of industry partners, including JFC, ABP, Dairy Research Ireland, FBD Trust, MSD, and Ornua. As a company dedicated to innovation in agriculture, JFC is proud to play a key role in advancing dairy-calf education and research. 

At JFC, we are committed to supporting advancements in agriculture through innovation, sustainability, and best practices. That’s why we are proud to partner with University College Dublin (UCD) on a ground-breaking research initiative focused on key areas of calf health, welfare, behaviour, dairy heifer replacement strategies, dairy male calf management, and dairy calf-to-beef production systems.

This research program is uniquely integrated into UCD Lyons Farm’s whole-farm research systems, allowing researchers to assess the long-term impacts of early-life interventions on animal productivity, farm profitability, and environmental sustainability. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and demonstrating best practices in calf rearing, this facility reinforces the importance of evidence-based solutions to modern farming challenges.

The UCD Lyons Dairy Calf Education and Research Facility represents a significant step forward for Irish dairy and beef production. As a company dedicated to providing innovative agricultural solutions, JFC is excited to be part of this initiative, helping to shape the future of sustainable and efficient farming.

Stay tuned as we continue to work alongside UCD to drive meaningful progress in the industry.