Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management graduation
The 2022 Graduates of the Teagasc/University College Dublin Level 7 Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course were presented with their diplomas at an awards ceremony at Teagasc Moorepark on Monday 12 December.
The awards were presented by Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Head of Education at Teagasc and Professor Karina Pierce, Dairy Production at University College Dublin (UCD).
Dr Anne Marie Butler congratulated the 17 graduates and their families on the significant achievement of graduating with a dairy farm management diploma. Dr Butler commended the graduates on the knowledge and skillset they have developed over the last two years and wished them well in their future endeavours in the dairy industry. Dr Butler also thanked University College Dublin as the awarding body for the Professional Dairy Diploma, and emphasised the continued and close working relationship between Teagasc and UCD in the areas of education, knowledge transfer and research.
Professor Karina Pierce congratulated the graduates on behalf of UCD. Professor Pierce commended the graduates on their resilience and adaptability in recent years and encouraged each graduate to continue to grow and develop their unique knowledge and skill set, as professionals in the dairy industry. Professor Pierce also acknowledged the commitment of host farmers who run successful farm businesses, alongside providing invaluable mentoring to students and very generously share their time and farm information with students.
The Overall Student of the Year award from the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course went to Kieran Banville from Foulksmills, County Wexford. During his two years completing the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course, he worked with Jim Curran in Waterford, and Bryan and Gail Daniels in Kilkenny. The Student of the Year award is recognised by the Farm Apprenticeship Board, Irish Farm Managers Association and the Master Farmers.
The Grassland Student of the Year award went to Kevin Greaney from Rahoon, County Galway. This award was based on a comprehensive assessment Kevin completed in 2nd year where he worked with Seamus Quigley, in Galway. The grassland Student of the Year award is recognised by the Blackwater Discussion Group.
Pictured in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork at the presentation of Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management were: Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Teagasc Head of Education; Dr Karina Pierce, UCD; Marianne Lyons, Ballyhaise College; Tim Ashmore, Kildalton College; Dr Emma-Louise Coffey, Programme Co-ordinator Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management; Dr Alison Sinnott, Interim Programme Co-ordinator Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management and Jerry Twomey, Irish Farm Managers Association with graduates. Photo O'Gorman Photography.