ASAireland

Hear from Graduate Council member Ciara Smyth as she shares her experience of the travel bursary. 🌍 ASA Travel Bursaries are now open for applications until Monday 1 Dec. 📌 Applications are currently open for UCD and SETU students. 👉 Email info@asaireland.ie for more info

Finished a great day of engagements as part of @ASAireland visit to Brussels! We met six MEPs this morning, hosted by @CowenBarry. We had a good discussion with @EUCssrMcGrath, met Trish Reilly of VDL cabinet, Damien Flynn of Perm Rep and Neil Willoughby of @ibec_irl in Brussels!

Brussels Trip 10th - 11th November 2025 We are delighted to announce we are heading to Brussels for a short trip in November. For more details or to register your interest in attending, please email info@asaireland.ie

Yesterday the highly anticipated @ASAireland Conference took place in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork. Minister @martinheydonfg opened the conference with @Bordbia CEO Jim O’Toole and dairy farmer & agriinfluencer Katie Gleeson among just some of the names people were excited to see. After dinner, UCD’s Professor Karina Pierce spoke with @simoncoveney , about his 16 years in government and his thoughts on topical agricultural issues such as #mercosur and sustainability.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science gradaute Dale Crammond has been announced as the new President of the @ASAireland Dale is the current Director of Meat Industry Ireland (MID) and assumed the role of president of the ASA at the at the ASA's annual conference in Cork on Friday. Crammond specialised in engineering technology during his agricultural science degree in UCD, graduating in 2000, before completing a masters in environmental science at Trinity College Dublin. Prior to taking up his position at MII, Crammond worked for @agriculture_ie and had spent four years with the @dfatirl working in the Irish Embassy in Washington DC. Dale commented: "I work in a fantastic industry, an industry that produces safe, nutritious and high-quality food for consumers all over the globe, which was the central theme discussed at this year's conference," he said on assuming the lead role. "I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders during the year ahead and promoting the critical roles played by science and innovation in the development of our great sector." Outgoing ASA president Susan Maher stated that serving as the agricultural science graduates' association president had been "the honour of my career" as she wished Crammond well in the role. "Dale, who will draw from both his family's tillage background and his own deep well of industry expertise, will benefit from the same level of collegiality which so positively influenced my own term." CEO of the Agricultural Trust, William Minchin will serve as ASA vice-president for 2025-2026.

The 2025 recipient of the Agricultural Science Association's Distinguished Member Award is Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research in Teagasc. The presentation was made at the annual @ASAireland conference in Cork yesterday evening. Find out more bit.ly/4nfBXuV

After 9 amazing years, I have completed my term on @ASAireland council. A wonderful opportunity with exceptional experiences and life long friends gained. ASA offers so much to those that engage - get involved and enjoy the journey 🌱🐄 Now joining the rest below out at pasture🤪

The annual Agricultural Science Association Fellowship, organised by the ASA and FBD was awarded to Dr Bridget Lynch, Head of the Agricultural Catchment Programme in Teagasc. Find out more here bit.ly/4nfBXuV @ASAireland

The recipient of the ASA fellowship is Dr Bridget Lynch

The winner of the 2025 ASA golf tournament was none other than Susan Maher's father Philip Maher, a former ASA President #ASA25

The ASA was delighted to present the Distinguished Member Award to Dr Pat Dillon from @teagasc

Our after dinner speaker, @simoncoveney, talks about his 16 years in government and his thoughts on topical agricultural issues such as #mercosur and sustainability #ASA25

“Some of next generation are seeing all the hard work but may not recognise the quality of life that farming can provide.” - Con Traas @theapplefarmer, Horticulturist & @UL Lecturer #ASA25

“We’re currently devising a Generational Renewal strategy. The average age of an Irish farmer is 58, which tells its own story.” - Enda Buckley, @CarberyGroup

“We had a vision, ambition and desire to get into dairy farming, to become employers and custodians of the land. So I put it to my wife Sarah that I wanted to take the plunge into full-time dairy farming” - Michael Malone on moving from dairy advisory to share farming

“I had the phone and began to tell my farming story online. Dairy farming has a good story that’s well worth sharing.” - Katie Gleeson, agri influencer and dairy farmer #ASA25

"65% of our suppliers are in derogation and if that goes it will make farmers with less than 70 cows, in derogation non-viable. I would argue the guys in derogation are more compliant' - Enda Buckley, director of sustainability, @CarberyGroup and @OfficialCorkGAA #ASA25

“Waste is over-production. We know this so how do we resolve over-production? Food waste is a global crisis and we need to resolve that issue. We need to shorten the supply chain,’ says @Pat_Whelan, @JWButchers. @ASAireland #ASA25

Interesting conversation about how data is used to verify sustainability. - reducing duplication of data capture - data ownership - verification of data - data analysis All supporting farmers/ producers to demonstrate sustainability and build trust with consumers. #ASA25

@McDonaldR13 speaking at the @ASAireland conference says, “Nature-based solutions are beginning to take off and they’re not just about carbon. It can help secure food systems while protecting the rural environment.” #ASA25