Teagasc Announces Senior Advisory and Training Appointments

11 October 2004

Teagasc has announced a number of senior appointments in its advisory and training services. The appointments are part of an overall re-orientation of the organisation’s services to the new challenges facing the agriculture and food industry following the implementation of the reformed EU policy in January 2005.

Tom Collins has been appointed Assistant Director of Advisory Services, with responsibility for the strategic development and planning of Teagasc’s nationwide advisory services to farmers and agri-business. Tom is currently Chief Agricultural Officer (CAO) in Offaly. In his new role, he will be based at the Teagasc Head Office at Oak Park, Carlow.

Matt Ryan has been appointed Dairying Programme Manager, with responsibility for leading the national advisory programme in dairying. Matt has been one of the leading dairying specialists with Teagasc during the past decade and has been to the forefront in the dissemination of new technology through discussion groups and linkages with the dairy industry. He will be based at Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork.

Sean Regan has been appointed Environment Programme Manager with responsibility for co-ordinating and developing advisory services on environmentally sustainable farming, including the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). Sean is one of Teagasc’s leading environment specialists and has played a key role in supporting local advisers in the provision of REPS, pollution control and landscape enhancement services. He will be based at the Teagasc centre at Athenry, Co Galway.

Nuala Ní Fhlatharta has been appointed Head of the new Forestry Development Unit in Teagasc, with responsibility for ensuring the most effective research, advisory and training services on all aspects of farm forestry. Nuala, who will be based in Athenry, holds a PhD in forestry from UCD. She has worked as a forestry adviser with Teagasc in the west for the past eight years.

Michael Conlon, former Head of Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, has taken over as Head of a new Horticultural Development Unit while Brendan Lynch of Moorepark Research Centre is the Head of a new Pig Development Unit.

Tony Pettit has been appointed Head of Kildalton College, with responsibility for managing and developing the wide range of vocational and third level courses in agriculture, horticulture and equine studies run by the college. He will also be responsible for expanding the role of Kildalton College in the provision of adult farmer training programmes. Tony is a former beef specialist with Teagasc and, in recent years, has been employed as the organisation’s food assurance specialist.

Gerry Scully, former Chief Sheep Adviser, has taken over the role of Assistant Director of Advisory Services with responsibility for managing the advisory services in the northern half of the country. Dermot McCarthy, former Chief Dairy Adviser has taken over the role of Assistant Director of Advisory Services, with responsibility for managing the services in the southern half of the country.

Bernard Smyth, former Chief Beef Adviser, has been appointed Drystock Programme Manager, with responsibility for leading the Teagasc advisory programme in both beef and sheep.

Dr Tom Kelly, who was Development Manager of advisory services in Teagasc South has been appointed Head of Technology and Farm Management Services. One of his key functions will be the expansion of information technology services for farmers.