FRS Co-Op, in partnership with the VistaMilk SFI Research Centre, has announced a new multi-year PhD programme to explore employment dynamics in Irish dairy farming. The research will focus on workforce management, employee experiences, technology adoption, and the critical issue of generational renewal in the sector.
Why this research matters
Irish dairy farms have undergone significant change in the last decade, particularly since the abolition of EU milk quotas. As farm size and workload have grown, so too has the reliance on hired labour.
However, challenges in attracting, managing, and retaining skilled workers remain. Limited career progression opportunities, inconsistent management practices, and the pressure of competing in a tight labour market all contribute to difficulties on farms.
At the same time, many dairy farms are investing in labour-saving technologies. While these tools can ease workload and boost efficiency, investment decisions are often framed around cutting labour costs rather than supporting long-term workforce development.
This new PhD research aims to reframe how hired labour is valued, not just as a cost, but as a strategic driver of productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
Focus areas of the PhD programme
The PhD, beginning in Q4 2025 and running through to 2029, will investigate:
- Employee experiences on Irish dairy farms
- Human resource management (HRM) practices at farm level
- How workforce management influences productivity
- The interaction between technology use and labour dynamics
- The economic contribution of employed labour beyond cost analysis
- Generational renewal and how farms can remain attractive career options
The research will be overseen by VistaMilk at Teagasc’s Moorepark campus in Cork and funded by FRS Co-Op, Europe’s largest employer of farm labour.
Supporting the future of Irish dairy farming
Neil Keane, Head of Agriculture at FRS Co-Op, emphasised the importance of this partnership:
“The expansion of Irish dairy has made farms increasingly reliant on hired labour, but too often, labour is seen purely as a cost. As Europe’s largest farm labour employer, FRS Co-Op is proud to support research that will help Irish dairy farms attract and retain skilled and motivated workers.”
Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc, added:
“Workforce development is vital to strengthen competitiveness and attract the next generation into farming. This collaboration will provide evidence-based insights that support both economic and environmental sustainability.”
Francis Fitzgerald, Chairman of FRS Co-Op, highlighted the impact on generational renewal:
“This PhD will deliver insights to help improve farm employment conditions and career progression. Farming is an attractive career with excellent quality of life, and this research will guide how we continue to bring new generations into the sector.”
Professor Donagh Berry, Director of VistaMilk, underlined the people-focused approach:
“The collaboration with FRS Co-Op highlights the vital role of people in farming. By exploring how HR practices and technology interact, the PhD will support productivity, job satisfaction, and sustainability.”
Together, the organisations are working to ensure Irish dairy farming remains competitive, attractive to future generations, and sustainable long term.