Brilliant Line-up for Conference 2015

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1 Summer 2015 Brilliant Line-up for Conference 2015 Aidan O Driscoll (left) Secretary General Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Hugh McGuire, Glanbia Chicago, among the panel of high-powered speakers and panellists at Conference 2015 We have a brilliant line-up for Conference 2015, which takes place in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny on Friday 11 September. Whatever your role in the agri-food sector, we are confident the high-powered programme will appeal to you. The international panel of speakers includes Gordon Hardie from global food and agribusiness giant Bunge, which has a turnover of over $60b, 35,000 employees and operations in 40 countries. Based in New York, Gordon heads Bunge s food and ingredients business with annual sales of $15b. His insights on global trends will be worth hearing. John Moloney, chair of recently published Food Wise 2025 Strategy will lead a discussion on the new strategy. Adding value President Eoin Lowry with Stan McCarthy, chief executive Kerry Group, award sponsors, and Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the launch of the inaugural ASA Novus Award. See page 3. is a central component of the strategy and Hugh McGuire is travelling from Chicago to tell the success story of the Glanbia performance nutrition business. This will be followed by a debate involving Kevin Lane of Ornua, Prof Dolores O Riordan, UCD, Kevin Cahill of Kepak and food analyst Joe Gill of Goodbody. Aidan O Driscoll, secretary general of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will give the opening keynote address. This will be Aidan s first appearance at a national conference since taking up the Department s top position. Rabobank s Kevin Bellamy, one of Europe s leading analysts, is travelling from Utrecht and will update us on global trends and prospects for product and input prices. The programme In this issue > Novus finalists announced > Appetising beef tour > Business masterclass > Oldest member honoured > Update on new technologies > Northern Ireland study tour > Work experience scholarships will also feature a big debate on the carbon/ climate change challenge. Panellists include outspoken economist Prof Alan Matthews, Teagasc scientist Dr Roger Schulte, Jaap Petraeus from FrieslandCampina in the Netherlands and Padraig Brennan, Bord Bia. The full conference programme will be sent to all members and will be on our website www. asaireland.ie in mid August. The Conference Banquet takes place on Thursday 10 September and promises to be another sell-out event. Our conference partner is again FBD and Bord Bia is our banquet partner. Other major sponsors are listed inside. Conference Booking Early booking helps hugely with the smooth running of the conference. Online booking is now open at Or contact the ASA offi ce ; secretary@asaireland.ie. Costs are again maintained at last year s levels: Member - 80; Retired members, students and recent graduates - 50; Non-members

2 2 Oldest ASA member honoured President Eoin Lowry making a presentation to ASA s oldest member Ned Sheehy. Also included is Dr Austin Mescal (right) who succeeded Ned as chief inspector in the Department of Agriculture. Ned Sheehy, our oldest member, was a special guest at our retired members event held in April. Ned, who celebrated his 98th birthday in June, was ASA President in 1968/69 and was a leading light in the ASA in the early decades following its establishment in From Union Hall in Cork, he joined the Department of Agriculture in He served as the Department s chief inspector from 1973 until his retirement in He is a lifelong member of the RDS and a former president of the Blackrock rugby club in Dublin. This year s retired members event again attracted a capacity attendance. It included visits to Áras an Uachtaráin and Glasnevin Cemetery. Our thanks to Prof Frank Crosby and Dr Dermot Ruane for their usual superb organisation. ASA at Ploughing Call in to us at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois on September. ASA will be located on the UCD stand at the three-day event. Our thanks to UCD for kindly making space available for us. President-elect Neil Neil Keane will take over as the 65th President of the ASA at our AGM on Friday 11 September. Neil, who holds a BAgrSc and MAgrSc from UCD, is commercial manager for the Alltech beef business across Europe. He has served as ASA Vice-President for the past year. He will take over the reins from Eoin Lowry who has worked like a Trojan on behalf of ASA for the past 12 months. Student scholarships President Eoin Lowry (left) and Shane Whelan, AIB (right) with winners of the 2015 professional work experience scholarships, from left: Jason Meenaghan, Tarlach Mac Giolla Cheara, Michael Cox and Maeve Regan. Hectic ASA Schedule The past six months have been hectic for the ASA. Events for members have included an attractive beef tour, a masterclass in business, an equine tour and a two-day tour of Northern Ireland. We participated with Teagasc and UCD in running a major conference on new technologies. We also ran a special tour for retired members and we continued our mentoring and support programme for undergraduates. We launched the inaugural Novus award and ran an exclusive ASA President s dinner for industry executives. All of these activities are covered in this issue. We continued to represent the interests of members through meetings with policy makers and through issuing public statements on key policy issues. Formal submissions were made on the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy draft consultation paper and on the Leaving Certificate agricultural science syllabus. Copies are on our website. Four UCD third year agricultural science students were awarded ASA scholarships, sponsored by AIB, to help them undertake the professional work experience element of their course overseas. The 2015 scholarships were awarded to: Maeve Regan, Cloonfad, Co Roscommon who worked on a 3,000-cow dairy farm in South Dakota; Jason Meenaghan, Belmullet, Co Mayo, who undertook his work experience in a forestry research centre in California; Michael Cox, Rathowen, Co Westmeath who worked on farms in Scotland and England and participated in a genetics internship in the US; and Tarlach Mac Giolla Cheara, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, who travelled to Japan to work on an Irish-owned horse breeding operation.

3 Day Out in Kildangan We had a capacity attendance of ASA horse enthusiasts at our equine tour of the famed Kildangan Stud in Co Kildare on 23 January. Kildangan is one of seven stud farms in Ireland run by Darley, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum s global thoroughbred breeding operation. The Irish farms total almost 5,000 acres. We had the pleasure of meeting 10 of the world s leading stallions. We also saw Kildangan s iconic American stables and the woodchip gallops, used for breaking 250 yearlings every year. We toured the Kildangan museum and we also got insights into the stud s farming operations which includes over 600 acres of cereals and haylage. Other attractions included the willow enterprise, the reed beds and the composting unit where dung and waste from all seven Irish stud farms is reduced to compost using a massive composting machine. Our thanks to all at Kildangan for a most informative and enjoyable day and to Gain Feeds for its sponsorship of the event. Members pictured in Kildangan Stud during the ASA equine tour. Jimmy Hyland, Kildangan Stud director with Mary Delaney, Gain Feeds and ASA Council member and President Eoin Lowry during the tour of Kildangan Stud Tom Gallagher, Kildangan Stud with ASA members Dr Vanessa Woods, Breian Carroll and Con Colbert in the Kildangan Stud museum. Colm Matthews and Council member Susan Kavanagh take charge of the composting machine during the visit of members to Kildangan Stud. Members hear about the Kildangan composting system. Finalists for Novus Award Announced We had a large number of high quality applications from ASA members for the inaugural Novus award. Sponsored by Kerry Group, the award, which will initially run for three years, is aimed at recognising outstanding leadership among graduates working in the agri-food sector. The first stage of the judging process is now complete and, following a rigorous assessment by an independent panel of judges, a shortlist of five candidates has been selected. These will go forward to the final selection process which will take place during August with the overall winner announced in early September The five finalists are: Dr Anne Finnegan, AIB; Roy Geary, Zoetis; Páidí Kelly, PhD student Teagasc Moorepark; Dr Stan Lalor, Grassland AGRO and Dr Karina Pierce, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. The award has a prize fund valued at 10,000 with the overall winner attending the prestigious Harvard Business School Agribusiness seminar which takes place over four days in Boston, USA in January All applicants are deserving of the highest commendation. The quality of applications is demonstration of the outstanding calibre of professionals within the ASA. 3

4 Members Tour Northern Ireland Members who participated in our study tour of Northern Ireland on 18 and 19 June were treated to a feast of excellent farming, cutting edge research and world-leading technologies in food and farm inputs. The tour was run in association with AIB. The tour included visits to the Pritchitts food service products facility and to the state-of-the-art dairy research farm at Greenmount. The group also visited Thompsons, Europe s largest animal feed mill. The farm visits included a 500-cow dairy herd on the Ards Peninsula and a high-performing organic suckler farm in nearby Downpatrick. The group saw the best of tillage farming during a visit to the 1,000 acre enterprise run by Simon and Rory Best outside Newry. The busy schedule included a lively discussion forum involving George Ramsbottom, Teagasc, Ian McCluggage, CAFRE and Patrick O Meara, AIB. We are grateful to our hosts for a most informative and enjoyable tour. CAFRE adviser Michael Doherty addressing the ASA tourists during the visit to Jonathon Carson s organic suckler farm at Downpatrick, Co Down. Members meet dairy farmer Thomas Steele on his farm at Kircubbin, Co Down. 4 On a trailer tour on the farm of Jonathon Carson. Banquet Booking Out Fast Demand for tables and places at our conference black tie banquet in the Lyrath Hotel on Thursday 10 September is extremely high. Some 40 industry-sponsored tables are already reserved, demonstrating the reputation of the banquet as a premier networking and social event. A limited number of tables and places are still available. To avoid disappointment, book immediately. Contact or secretary@asaireland.ie. Accommodation in Kilkenny All 140 rooms in the Lyrath Hotel are already booked, demonstrating the interest in banquet and conference However, there is plenty of accommodation in Kilkenny. Rooms have been reserved in the nearby Newpark Hotel; B&B 79 for single occupancy and 109 for double/twin occupancy. To book, contact the hotel directly at Other suggested nearby hotels are: River Park ; Hotel Kilkenny ; Kilkenny Pembroke Hotel ; Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel Members Con Curtin, Brian Doocey and Noreen Lacey on tour. Attractive Conference Tour Partners of conference delegates and retired ASA members and their partners have the opportunity to participate in what promises to be an unmissable Conference Tour on Friday 11 September. The attractions include Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny Design Centre, Butler House Gardens, the new Smithwick s Experience and Rothe House and Gardens. Cost, including lunch is just 20/person. Places are limited to 50. Book early online at or through the ASA office.

5 Masterclass in Business There was strong interest from members in the high-powered masterclass delivered by agribusiness and marketing expert Prof Damien McLoughlin, which was held in the Michael Smurfi t Graduate Business School on 3 March. Participants were given a copy of the food-centred case study in advance of the event and were given guidance on how to get maximum benefi t out of participation in the masterclass. Those who attended found the experience both challenging and engaging. This was a unique opportunity to benefi t from the expertise and moderating skills of Prof Damien McLoughlin who has vast experience in leadership and strategic issues in the food and agribusiness sector worldwide. Members Michael Slattery, Drummonds, Yvonne Farrell, Monsanto and Maurice Keane, Glanbia arriving at Smurfit Business School for the business masterclass. Gerard Walsh, Forum Group and Tommy Conway, Investec at the masterclass. Denis Carpenter, Adesco in deep contemplation. Rob O Keeffe, Glanbia and Dr Ailish Byrne, Ulster Bank pay close attention to proceedings. Thomas Owens, student with Andrew McInerney, Nutribio and Frank Walsh, Dawn Meats at the masterclass. Leaders Attend President s Dinner The top executives and policy influencers in the agri-food sector attended the ASA President s dinner on 31 March. The event, Food for thought learning today, leading tomorrow, was sponsored by Bord Bia and the guest of honour was the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney. Over 20 of the country s leading executives and key industry stakeholders were in attendance. It provided an opportunity for the ASA to acknowledge the ongoing generous support of the major companies and organisations and to facilitate a high level discussion on policy issues among key players in the sector. The discussion, moderated by our President Eoin Lowry, offered industry leaders the opportunity to debate national and international challenges with the Minister. Thanks to our Loyal Sponsors We are grateful for the continuing support of our loyal sponsors for Conference and Banquet FBD is our conference partner for the 15th consecutive year. Glanbia, Goulding, Kerry Group, Irish Farmers Journal and Rabobank have kindly agreed to again act as session sponsors. Bord Bia is again our banquet partner and Alltech is the sponsor of our conference lunch. Many other companies and organisations have renewed vital sponsorship this year and we are delighted to welcome new sponsors who have come on board for the conference or have agreed to become table sponsors at the banquet. Their support will be fully acknowledged in conference literature, at the events and on our website. This support and the help of the many companies in running events for members throughout the year is testament to the esteem in which the ASA and its members are held. 5

6 Conference on New Technologies There was a large attendance of ASA members and other professionals from across the agri-food sector at the conference on Advances in Knowledge and Technologies for Agriculture in Tullamore on 10 June. The conference, which was organised by Teagasc and UCD and run in association with the ASA, was an ideal opportunity to get updated on new technologies and opportunities for innovation emerging from the latest research from Teagasc and UCD. The attendees were updated on a wide range of technologies including animal genomics, precision tillage, nutrient management, grass management and financial management. A striking feature was the level of research collaboration between Teagasc and UCD. We are grateful to our colleagues in Teagasc and UCD for generously sharing their time and knowledge with us. Dr Frank O Mara, director of research, Teagasc, ASA president Eoin Lowry and Prof Alex Evans, head of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, announcing details of the conference on Advances in Knowledge and Technologies for Agriculture. Speakers Dr Rachel Creamer, Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Dr Tommy Boland UCD and Dr Donagh Berry, Teagasc Moorepark at the conference on Advances in Knowledge and Technologies for Agriculture. Members Declan Spillane, Liam Dunphy and Peter Ging, all Goulding, in Tullamore at the Teagasc, UCD, ASA conference. Members George Ramsbottom, Teagasc, Philip O Connor, IFAC and Susan Kavanagh, agricultural consultant were also at the conference. 6 Cork-based consultants Julie Roche and Paddy Fitzsimons attended the technology updating conference. ASA Golf Events The ASA President s Prize golf outing takes place in the magnificent Jack Nicklaus-designed Mount Juliet course, Kilkenny on Thursday 10 September. Tee times are from 9.00am to 11.00am and the green fee is 60. We are grateful to Catherine McGrath who has again generously agreed to take the bookings. To book your tee time, contact Catherine at Teagasc Tullamore; Tel: ; catherine. mcgrath@teagasc.ie. The annual inter-county agricultural graduates competition takes place in the County Longford Club on Friday 28 August. This is the 21st year of the competition and the organisers are looking for a big turnout. For full information, contact Michael Lennon at or Sam Donaghy at

7 Appetising Beef Tour Members who participated in the ASA beef tour to the Kepak feedlot in Meath on 16 April got plenty of information on feeding and management systems for animals tailored for a range of consumer markets. The tour, which was sponsored by Bank of Ireland, provided an opportunity to see the operation of the 1,800 animal feedlot and to hear about the unique feeding and health programmes for animals destined for home and export markets. The tour also included a discussion on beef trends and prospects which was led by prominent British producer and former NFU vice-president Adam Quinney. The discussion was moderated by commentator and former journalist John Shirley. Greg McCloskey, Kepak farm manager with Seán Farrell, Bank of Ireland, tour sponsors, and ASA President Eoin Lowry in the Kepak feedlot. Jan Douglas, Trouw Nutrition getting updated on beef. Jonathan Forbes, group procurement manager Kepak discussing carcass and meat quality traits with members. Members hear about diets and feed ingredients. Members James O Hare Churchtown, Co Cork with Teagasc advisory stalwarts Pat O Gorman and Tom Everard on the beef tour. 7

8 Honing Job Seeking Skills Almost 100 fi nal year agriculture science students in UCD participated in ASA mock interviews held as part of the UCD Careers Day in February. The students applied for real jobs, were interviewed by panels of ASA members and were given feedback on the quality of their application and their performance. The ten top performers were presented with ASA awards by Minister Simon Coveney. Our congratulations to the following award winners: Alec Perrott, Michael McManus, James Taylor and Angela Ryan, all studying Animal and Crop Production; Zoe McKay and Siobhán Ring, studying Animal Science; Shaileen McGovern, studying The ten winners of the ASA mock interviews pictured with Minister Simon Coveney and Prof Alex Evans, head of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, at the presentation of ASA prizes during UCD Careers Day. Animal Science Equine; Deborah Stewart and Odile Evans, studying Food and President Eoin Lowry addressing students at the opening of UCD Careers Day. Agribusiness Management; and Shane Loughrey, studying Agri-Environmental Science. Changing Career Paths Scott Lovell John Dardis Pat O Keeffe We extend good wishes to the following members who have switched careers in recent months: Pat O Keeffe has moved from his position as deputy editor and news editor of the Irish Farmers Journal to head of farmer relations with Glanbia. Pat was President of the ASA in Dr John Dardis has left the Department of Agriculture to join Glanbia as senior vice-president for corporate affairs in the US. John was first secretary for agriculture and food in the Irish embassy in Washington for the past five years, where he was enormously helpful to the ASA. He is a former honorary secretary of the ASA. Scott Lovell, a current ASA Council member, has taken up the position of agri operations manager with Barryroe Co-op. He was previously technical manager with Dairygold Co-op. Seamus O Mahony has joined Dairygold Co-op as supplier development manager, moving from Barryroe Co-op where he was business development manager. Adam Woods, adviser with the Teagasc Better Farm programme has moved to a high level beef research position in Teagasc Grange. Congratulations to Tom Arnold on his appointment to the 12-member global expert panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition. It is another big honour for Tom who is former chief executive of Concern worldwide and is currently director general of the Institute of International and European Affairs and chairman of the Irish Times Trust. Best wishes on their retirement to our colleagues David Beehan, chief inspector and Dermot Ryan, deputy chief inspector respectively of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Dermot retired in early July while David will retire in late August. New Five Year Strategy A new fi ve year strategic plan for the ASA will be put to members at our AGM in Kilkenny on 11 September. The plan is the culmination of intensive consultation with members and key stakeholders over the past nine months on how best to further grow the ASA and its membership base. The process included regional focus group meetings with members and non-members, attended by the President and Vice-President. Our thanks to former president Dr Dermot Ruane for expertly facilitating the process and to Council members, former Presidents and all who contributed to the initiative. Death of Paschal Hennessy We remember with sadness Paschal Hennessy (left) who died in April after a short illness. A careerlong member of the ASA, Paschal joined the agrochemical industry after graduation in 1977 and was marketingco-ordinator for Bayer CropScience in Ireland at the time of his death. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Mary, sons Hugh and Peter and his extended family. 8 Agricultural Science Association, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. Tel: ; secretary@asaireland.ie;