New Head of Teagasc Dairy Knowledge Transfer Department
The new head of the Teagasc Dairy Knowledge Transfer Department, Dr Joe Patton will be at the dairy open day next week in Teagasc Moorepark to meet and engage with farmers on the challenges facing the sector.
Earlier this summer, Dr Patton was appointed as the head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc following the move by Dr Tom O’ Dwyer to head up the Teagasc Signpost Programme. Dr Patton will lead the team of dairy specialists in the organisation.
Speaking in advance of Moorepark ‘21 Open Day, Joe Patton said: “The last decade has fundamentally changed the dairy industry in terms of its farm management practices, its relationship with other agri-sectors, and its place in the wider economy and society. My priority for the Teagasc Dairy KT team will be the integration of environmental, social and economic sustainability into a strong technical programme.
This will be delivered across the core areas of grassland management and nutrient-use efficiency, farm facilities and labour, and herd breeding and fertility management. We will work closely with Teagasc colleagues and industry partners to help develop sustainable dairy beef initiatives. We also plan to enhance our decision-support capabilities around grass-based nutrition, farm finance, animal health and welfare.”
Joe Patton graduated from University College Dublin with a Degree in Agricultural Science in 2002. His research PhD was on ‘Influence of nutrition and energy balance on the reproductive function in dairy cattle’, which he completed between Teagasc and UCD.
He started his career in Teagasc in 2006 with a contract research post in the area of dairy herd nutrition. In 2009, he took up a role as dairy specialist for winter milk production in Teagasc, based at Teagasc Grange. He also took on responsibility for the Teagasc winter milk systems project based at Johnstown Castle. In 2020, he moved to the position of ruminant nutrition specialist in the organisation having previously taken a leading role in helping formulate and disseminate the Teagasc position in relation to managing responses to severe weather impacts in 2018.
Congratulating Joe on his appointment, Head of Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation programme, Professor Pat Dillon said: “Joe will be taking a leading role in shaping the Teagasc dairy programme at this time of emerging challenges for the national industry.”
If you wish to attend the Teagasc dairy open day in Moorepark on one of the days, Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th or Thursday 16th, pre-registration is required at www.teagasc.ie/moorepark21