Teagasc Annual Report 2003 – Directors Review

Research

A total of 275 research projects were undertaken by 200 scientists, supported by 120 postgraduates. Research covered food safety and quality, food processing, livestock, tillage, horticulture, forestry, environmental control, economic analysis and rural development.

The contribution of Teagasc research to the economy was highlighted by an independent analysis published during 2003. It showed that the return on investment in agricultural research in Ireland is ten times the level advocated by the Department of Finance for public sector investment projects.

Carried out by Professor Gerry Boyle of NUI, Maynooth, it showed that the average return on investment in seven areas of research was 47%. This compares with a minimum rate of 5% advocated by the Department of Finance for public sector investment projects.

Highlights of our research activities in 2003 included the detailed analysis by our economists of the impact of the agreement on the midterm reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. This analysis helped to guide Ireland’s negotiating position and our decision on the most effective implementation strategies for the new policy. It also helped to inform farmers and industry on the impact of the new policies at farm level and on the agriculture and food industry.

The Teagasc food research programme had a number of notable successes in 2003. One example was the establishment of the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, a joint venture involving the Teagasc Dairy Products Research Centre at Moorepark and University College Cork (UCC). The awarding of €16.5m to this project by Science Foundation Ireland represents a vote of confidence in the scientific expertise at Teagasc Moorepark and its UCC partners.

Substantial progress was also made during 2003 on the establishment of new research facilities in Teagasc. The new plant biotechnology center at Oak Park Research Centre was commissioned during the year and the new animal and food biotechnology centre at Moorepark was brought to the near-completion stage. These facilities and the newly recruited scientists will lead to an enhanced research programme and will enable Teagasc to further expand its already strong linkages with the leading research institutes and the foremost scientists in the world.

In production research, our scientists continued to fine-tune blueprints for low-cost, grass-based milk, beef and sheep production. Advances were made on producing the right strain of dairy cow for the Irish grass-based production system while new information gleaned from gene technology has the potential to deliver significant spin-offs for animal fertility.

New gene technology also played a crucial role in diagnosing resistance levels of the major cereal disease, Septoria Tritici, to the newer fungicides. Teagasc expertise was vital in devising the most effective strategies to counteract this potentially serious problem for cereal growing in Ireland.

Advisory Services

The Teagasc advisory services continued to provide the necessary technologies for the commercial farming sector to benefit from increased scale, while also adopting the latest cost-reduction technologies and most efficient production systems. The growing number of part-time farmers, who account for a significant proportion of agricultural output, were also a key target of our advisory services. More flexible services were put in place in order to meet the particular needs of this group.

Following the agreement on the midterm review of the Common Agricultural Policy in July 2003, our advisers were actively involved in an intensive information campaign on the details of the fundamental changes and their impact on farmers. Towards the end of the year, a specialised ‘Planning Post Fischler’ advisory programme was established. This is focused on providing the best advice to farmers on adapting to the radical policy changes which come into effect in January 2005.

Education and Training

A total of 16,000 participated in training provided by Teagasc for young entrants to the industry, adult farmers and the food industry in 2003. The number of third-level courses, provided jointly by Teagasc and institute of technology partnerships, increased from nine to eleven.

Teagasc entered the area of e-learning for the first time in 2003, with the establishment of an on-line learning website and the provision of a pilot course. Plans were advanced for the development of an on-line learning unit in Teagasc. This, together with more flexible programmes offered at night and weekends, combined with the provision of distance learning, will enable us to more effectively meet the training needs of people who are combining farming with another career.

Rationalisation

Against the background of a significant cutback in Teagasc finances in 2003 and the necessity to protect priority research, advisory and training services, the Teagasc Authority decided to consolidate its resources on fewer centres.

The Head Office in Dublin was sold and plans were made to relocate staff to the National Tillage Research Centre at Oak Park, Carlow. Staff in the Rural Economy Research Centre, who located at the Dublin Head Office, are being relocated to Mellows Centre, Athenry.

The Soft Fruit Research Centre at Clonroche, Wexford, was also sold during 2003. The soft fruit research activities carried out at Clonroche are being transferred to other larger research centres. The Teagasc facility at Lullymore, Co. Kildare was also sold.

The Authority also decided to discontinue vocational training for young people at Mellows College, Athenry and to transfer the Vocational Certificate in Organic Farming course from Mellows to Mountbellew College. As part of a rationalisation of advisory service facilities, the advisory office at Corduff, Co. Dublin was sold and staff were relocated to the Dublin County Advisory and Training Centre at Kinsealy. A number of small rented advisory offices were also closed.

Capital Investment

Significant capital investment took place in 2003, particularly in the refurbishment of colleges and the provision of new research facilities. New teaching facilities were erected at Ballyhaise College and Kildalton College. The new crop biotechnology centre was completed at Oak Park Research Centre and the new animal and food biotechnology centre at Moorepark Research Centre was at near-completion by the end of 2003. New office and laboratory facilities were also provided at the National Food Centre.

Quality Customer Services

Following the appointment of a fulltime customer services officer at the end of 2002, a number of important initiatives were undertaken in 2003. Surveys were carried out to establish levels of satisfaction with services among students and farmer clients. Pilot projects were undertaken at counties, colleges and research centres and an intensive staff training programme was initiated.

Good progress was made on ensuring that a Teagasc Customer Charter and Customer Service Action Plan would be finalised by the target date of May, 2004.

Programme Evaluation

An Evaluation Unit was established and a full-time Evaluation Officer was appointed in September 2003. Progress was made in the preparation of an Evaluation Unit Business Plan and in the design of the performance measurement system and the development of a cyclical plan for the systematic evaluation of the key Teagasc programmes.

Risk Management

Systems were put in place during 2003 to enable the formal establishment of a risk management programme throughout all units in Teagasc. A Risk Managerial Steering Group was established and training was provided for all managers. From early 2004, each business unit will be required to complete a risk assessment and action plan as an integral part of the business plan.

Information Technology

Following the appointment of a Head of Information and Communications technology (ICT) during 2003, a detailed ICT Business Plan was put in place for the period 2003-2005. The plan is focused on correcting the ICT deficits identified in the comprehensive review carried out in 2002. Progress was made in the establishment of a centralised ICT unit and in increasing the number of qualified staff needed to develop and support effective ICT applications.

Jim Flanagan

Director