New Appointments in Teagasc

Two New Grassland Researchers Appointed

Teagasc has appointed Dr James Humphreys and Dr Padraig French to its permanent research staff. Both are involved in grassland research.

Dr James Humphreys, who is based at Moorepark Research Centre, will be working on grazing systems for dairy cows, with a particular focus on nitrogen use. He will have responsibility for the Teagasc research programme at Solohead Research Farm, Co Tipperary and will also be involved in grassland research projects at Moorepark and at Kilmaley Research Farm, Co Clare.

A native of Templemartin, Bandon, James graduated with a degree in agriculture from UCD in 1990. He was awarded an MSc in 1993 and was subsequently conferred with a PhD on the strength of research work carried out at Johnstown Castle Research Centre.

James worked for a period at the Teagasc Beef Research Centre at Grange and at Aberystwyth in Wales before joining the Moorepark research team in early 2000.

Dr Padraig French has joined the Grange Research Centre research staff, working on grassland management systems in beef. He is also involved in research work on outwintering pads and on autumn calving sucklers.

A native of Union Hall, Co Cork, Padraig graduated in agriculture from UCD in 1996. Following graduation he joined the Teagasc post-graduate research programme and worked on research projects at Grange. He was awarded an MSc in 1998 and a PhD in 2000.

New Chief Tillage Adviser

Jim O'Mahony has been appointed Chief Tillage Adviser with Teagasc, the most senior position in the organisation's tillage advisory service. He succeeds Paddy Browne who recently took up the position of Head of Education.

Jim will be based at Oak Park Research Centre, Carlow and will have responsibility for leading the Teagasc national tillage advisory programme.

A native of Ladysbridge, Co Cork, Jim is one of the foremost tillage experts in the country. For the past 16 years he has been a tillage specialist with Teagasc based at the regional headquarters at Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny. He spent his early career with the Department of Agriculture working at the National Cereal Breeding and Testing Centre, Leixlip, Co Kildare.

New CAO in Cork East

Jerry McCarthy has taken up duty as CAO with Teagasc in Cork East, succeeding Kevin Twomey who has retired after 40 years distinguished record in the advisory and training services.

A native of Banteer, Co Cork, Jerry brings a wealth of experience to this important Teagasc position. Based at the county office in Cork city, he will be responsible for managing the advisory and training services provided by 40 staff from eight different locations.

A graduate in agriculture from UCD, Jerry spent his early career in the crop protection industry before joining the advisory services. He worked as an adviser in Enniscorthy, Mullinavat and Mallow.

Since the mid 1980s, he has been one of Teagasc's leading tillage specialists. Based in Moorepark, he was responsible for leading the tillage advisory service in the intensive tillage areas of Munster and for ensuring effective linkages between front-line advisers and researchers at the National Tillage Research Centre at Oak Park. He has been replaced as Tillage Specialist by Derek O'Donoghue.