Dairy & Beef Path
A focused Green Cert pathway for dairy and beef farmers. Complete the core agricultural curriculum alongside specialist modules in Dairy Husbandry and Beef Husbandry, with practical farm days aligned to both enterprises.
Core modules (every path)
Part of the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture (5M20454). Identical no matter which path you choose.
Principles of AgricultureCORE
You’ll explore Irish farming in its national and global context, from plant and animal biology to how dairy, beef, sheep and tillage systems are run, and build practical skills in identifying farm plants, handling livestock safely, traceability and animal health.
Farm Safety and Farm AssuranceCORE
You’ll learn to identify and manage risks on Irish farms, covering accident prevention, health hazards, safe yard design and legal responsibilities, alongside animal welfare, food assurance and traceability. You’ll also develop practical skills in safely operating tractors, trailers and PTO-driven machinery.
CommunicationsCORE
You’ll develop the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills needed to run a farm business. This includes communicating with advisors, buyers, contractors and the Department of Agriculture; presenting at discussion groups and meetings; understanding scheme documents and regulations; and choosing suitable communication technology. You’ll also learn about workplace and safety legislation relevant to farming.
Work PracticeCORE
You’ll complete a hands-on farm placement, developing skills in everyday farm tasks and learning to work safely and professionally. You’ll explore the health, safety, employment and farming regulations that apply to your work. With feedback from your supervisor, you’ll reflect on your progress, strengths and future opportunities in agriculture.
Soils and the EnvironmentCORE
You’ll learn how Irish soils are formed, classified and structured, and develop practical skills in soil sampling, interpreting results and planning fertiliser use. You’ll also explore how Irish and EU environmental regulations, codes of good practice and farm audits guide the safe and efficient use of fertilisers, lime and manures.
Farm Business and TechnologyCORE
You’ll learn how the Irish agribusiness sector works and what drives farm profitability. You’ll develop skills in keeping farm records, measuring performance, understanding credit and farm schemes, and using cash flow reports. You’ll also learn to use farm software, apps and government websites to record data and complete scheme paperwork safely and accurately.
Grass ProductionCORE
You’ll learn how to grow, manage and conserve grass and clover on Irish farms, from sward growth, reseeding and grass budgeting to making quality silage and hay and planning winter forage, and you’ll build hands-on skills in measuring grass, assessing swards, fencing and maintaining water supplies safely.
Safe Use of Pesticide ProductsCORE
You’ll learn how to use pesticides and plant protection products safely and legally on the farm, from reading labels and safety data sheets, tank mixing, storage, transport and record-keeping to protective equipment, risk assessment, dealing with spills or poisoning, and protecting the environment, in line with Irish and EU rules.
Chemical Fertiliser ApplicationCORE
You’ll learn how to apply chemical fertiliser accurately, safely and legally, from matching nutrients to crop needs under the Nitrates rules and good agricultural practice, to choosing and setting up a spreader, getting an even spread and correct rate, handling and storing fertiliser, and cleaning and storing the spreader after use.
Your enterprise modules
These two modules are specific to the Dairy & Beef path, and set which Farm Hub and practical days you’ll attend.
Dairy HusbandryYOUR PATH
You’ll learn how commercial dairy farming works in Ireland, from feeding, breeding, calving and herd health to milk production, milk quality and housing, and you’ll build hands-on skills in calf rearing, milking routines, disease control and stock assessment, while understanding the drivers of dairy profit and working safely with animals.
Beef HusbandryYOUR PATH
You’ll learn how commercial beef farming works in Ireland, from suckler and finishing systems, markets and housing to herd health, breeding and the drivers of beef profit, and you’ll build hands-on skills in judging and valuing cattle, calving, dosing, disease control and day-to-day husbandry, while working safely with animals.
Core modules (every path)
Part of the Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming (6S20487). All core — no Level 6 electives on any path.
Work PracticeCORE
You’ll complete a hands-on farm placement where you take on more responsibility, carrying out farm duties professionally and safely, applying management principles to real farm decisions, working within the relevant health, safety and employment rules, and evaluating your own performance and future career in agriculture with feedback from your supervisor.
Farm Management and Business PlanningCORE
You’ll learn to assess and plan the future of a farm business, from measuring its performance and weighing up realistic options using cost-benefit analysis, loan repayments and development costings, to understanding farm law, tax, credit, supports, risk, succession and inheritance, alternative enterprises and health and safety management.
Sustainable Farming and the EnvironmentCORE
You’ll learn how to farm in a way that protects the environment and meets EU and national rules, from looking after wildlife habitats, biodiversity and hedgerows to choosing the right environmental schemes, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, and preparing a farm environmental audit, manure management programme and integrated pest management plan.
Farm Performance MeasurementCORE
You’ll learn how to measure and benchmark a farm’s performance against similar farms, using discussion groups, farm databases and the latest research and industry programmes, and you’ll carry out your own benchmarking exercise across areas like herd or flock performance, grassland, breeding, crops, nutrient planning, farm assurance and regulatory compliance.
Applied Livestock BreedingCORE
You’ll learn how to use breeding indices and herd data to improve a livestock enterprise, from setting targets and devising a breeding policy, programme and calendar to recording breeding and health events, producing and interpreting herd reports from a database, and using sire advice reports to choose the right bulls or rams.
Grassland ManagementCORE
You’ll learn how to manage grass for maximum growth and use, from understanding how swards grow and reseeding to measuring grass covers, working out daily grass demand, setting targets for a dairy, beef or sheep farm, and completing a full grass budget with a spring rotation planner, summer wedge and autumn budget.
Your Green Cert qualification
Completing both awards — the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and the Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming — together forms your official Green Cert.