News and Events

Recent News at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science

McCarrick Graduate Research Scholarship - Call now open

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science is delighted to announce the launch of the Graduate Research Scholarship in memory of Dr Roger McCarrick. This funding is intended to enable three outstanding graduates of UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science to pursue a PhD in the University.

New €4.8 million AgTech Innovation Centre and Dairy Herd Health Education and Research Hub Under Construction at UCD Lyons Farm

University College Dublin (UCD) today announced the commencement of a €4.8 million development project to construct a new state-of-the-art facility incorporating the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre (ca. 890 sq.m.) and the UCD Bimeda Herd Health Hub (ca. 120 sq.m.) at UCD Lyons Farm.

North-South partnership to investigate role of vitamin D in bovine TB

Collaboration to study vitamin D in host immune response to tackle persistent TB infection in cattle on the island of Ireland

Project to develop multidisciplinary ‘immunology hub’ plan for all-island approach

Gold Medal for genetic research on tuberculosis in cattle

PhD student, John O’Grady from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science has won the 2022 UCD Conway Festival Gold Medal for genetic research into how cattle respond to infection with Mycobacterium bovis

New UCD Teagasc Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development launched

University College Dublin (UCD) is delighted to announce the launch of a new Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development designed and developed in association with Teagasc specifically for Post-Doctoral Fellows employed by Teagasc.

Climate Targets - How We Get There, RTE Countrywide

Professor Tommy Boland and Professor Helen Sheridan speak to Damien O'Reilly on RTE Countrywide about some of the really important and relevant research taking place at UCD Lyons Farm.

Association of Applied Biologists: UCD Professor Olaf Schmidt given Honorary Membership for Life

Professor Olaf Schmidt, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science has been awarded Honorary Membership for Life by the Association of Applied Biologists (ABB), one of the first scientific societies founded in the UK to be devoted to the field of study. Professor Schmidt received the honour in recognition of his career “working in the area of applied biology".

Minister Heydon visits UCD Lyons Farm

Martin Heydon T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Research & Development, Farm Safety recently visited UCD Lyons Farm to meet with staff and students and hear about ongoing research.

$Soap Box Science 2022 returns to streets of Dublin on 18th June \n$

Soap Box Science 2022 returns to streets of Dublin on 18th June

Twelve Female Scientists Set to Speak at Soapbox Science Dublin 2022 including Tara Diriligen and Alison O’Reilly from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science

$UCD AgSoc gifts €60,000 to chosen charities\n$

UCD AgSoc gifts €60,000 to chosen charities

Charities have received €60,000 following fundraising efforts by UCD’s Agricultural Science Society (AgSoc).

The large sum was raised through a range fund-raising events organised by the committee and auditor of the society Shauna Jager.

$Minister Heydon Launches Safe Farm EIP Project: Using drama to support farm safety\n$

Minister Heydon Launches Safe Farm EIP Project: Using drama to support farm safety

Safe Farm recently launched its farm health, safety, and wellbeing European Innovation Project in County Cork. The project was officially launched by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon. Acorn Agricultural Research in partnership with UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Dairygold Co-op, Cohort Recruitment and Training and farmer members are carrying out this project which is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as part of a European Innovation Partnership (EIP).

$Registration is now open for UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Summer School Programmes. \n$

Registration is now open for UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Summer School Programmes.

Interactive full-day information event on 7th June 2022 for 5th-year students considering their CAO options, with four summer schools on offer.

SAFS in the News: News The Hard Shoulder

Dr. Dara Stanley chats to Kieran Cuddihy on NewsTalk's, The Hard Shoulder.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine visits UCD Lyons Farm

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. visited UCD Lyons Farm recently to meet with staff and students to find out about the most up to date research taking place and the Universities ambitious development plans for Lyons Farm.

SAFS in the News: RTE Nationwide

Dr. Noeleen Smyth, Assoc Prof in Environmental Horticulture speaks to RTE Nationwide on a project involving saving one of Ireland’s rarest plant species.

SAFS in the News: Countrywide

Prof. Pat Lonergan speaks to Darragh McCullough for Countrywide from UCD Lyons Farm on ongoing research and trials in Animal Breeding and Bovine IVF.

UCD SAFS in the News: Morning Ireland Prof Michael Wallace

Prof Michael Wallace speaking to Morning Ireland Radio 1 on how the cost of food is not expected to drop anytime soon

UCD Agricultural Extension and Innovation opportunities

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science offer a number of masters programmes in the area of agricultural extension. These Master’s programmes equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to develop successful careers in advisory services, technical consultancy and education delivery. An information event will be hosted on 13th April which will include details on a number of funded opportunities now open for application.

UCD SAFS : RTE Brainstorm, Can you engineer the perfect racehorse?

Prof. Emmeline Hill and Dr. Barbara Murphy speak with Anna Joyce, RTE Brainstorm on the perfect racehorse and the role genetics, the environment and equine psychology play in the role for equine excellence

UCD SAFS : Mooney Goes Wild, Dr. Dara Stanley

Dr. Dara Stanley, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science speaks with Éanna Ní Lamhna, Nature RTE for Mooney Goes Wild recently on How Pollinators interact with Plants.

UCD SAFS in the News: RTE News with Prof. Michael Wallace

In advance of a New Fodder and Food security committee Professor of Agriculture and Food Economics at UCD, Michael Wallace speaks with RTE.

UCD SAFS in the News, Prof. Frank Monahan, Irish Farmers Monthly

Prof. Frank Monahan, newly appointed Dean of Agriculture at UCD speaks with the Irish Farmers Monthly. An excellent interview discussing the importance of education & research, the role of the School of Agriculture and Food Science in supporting farmers and industry, developing the next generation of leaders and much more.

SmartGrass project announced as runner up in UCD Research Impact Case Study 2021

Led by Associate Professor Helen Sheridan and Professor Tommy Boland the SmartGrass project was announced runner up in the UCD Research Impact Case Study 2021. SmartGrass was the first nationally funded research project to investigate the potential of Multi-Species Swards with the objective of developing a novel “Low Input – High Output” grassland system.

Almost 400 students from all over Leinster and beyond descended on UCD Lyons Farm for the latest event in the Agri Aware Farm Walk & Talk series.

The farm in Kildare welcomed students from Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford, Longford, Carlow, and Laois to give them a practical insight into many of the themes in the Leaving Certificate agricultural science syllabus.

$UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science celebrate International Women\'s Day 2022$

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science celebrate International Women's Day 2022

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022 the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science developed a series of short videos to celebrate some of the female members of the postdoctoral and research scientist community within the school.

Minister McConalogue addresses final year students at UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Fair

UCD sees the return of in-house Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day 2022. After a brief absence in 2021 the UCD Agriculture, Food Science & Human Nutrition Careers Day took place on Wednesday 2nd March 2022. The annual event, organised by students, for students, welcomed Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. who opened this year’s event.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science in the News: RTE CountryWide

Prof. Frank Monahan, the newly appointed Dean of Agriculture at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science joins Damien O'Reilly, RTE Countrywide for a wide raging discussion on issues facing Irish Agriculture.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science in the News: RTE Ear to the Ground

Assoc. Prof Helen Sheridan speaks to Ear to the Ground on ongoing research around multi-species swards.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science in the News: RTE News

Inflation: What's happening in relation to food prices? Professor of Agriculture and Food Economics at UCD, Michael Wallace chats with RTE news to explain.

UCD Agricultural Society announces the return of in-person Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Fair on 2nd March.

After a Covid-enforced absence in 2021, University College Dublin’s Agricultural Society, AgSoc, are delighted to announce their annual Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Fair will return to an in-person event for 2022. The event will take place in the Ad Astra Hall in the UCD Student Centre on Wednesday 2nd March.

EXCITEMENT AS STUDENTS RETURN TO AGRI AWARE FARM WALK & TALK AT UCD LYONS FARM

Farm Walk and Talk is an interactive series of events for second-level, agricultural science students throughout early March on ten research farms and agricultural colleges across the country including UCD Lyons Farm on March 15th.

UCD and FDC Group launch exciting new €50,000 annual scholarship programme for MSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation students

The scholarships valued at €50,000 euro per annum were awarded, following competition, to four students enrolled on the MSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation programme.

Dr Dara Stanley announced as SFI Early Career Researcher of the Year 2021

Dr Dara Stanley, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science was named SFI Early Career Researcher of the Year at SFI Awards 2021 recognising both her work on pesticides and pollinators, and also her strong commitment to engaging members of the public.

Dr. Dara Stanley, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science awarded ‘Founders Prize’ by British Ecological Society.

Dr. Dara Stanley a Lecturer in Applied Entomology and agro-ecologist at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science has been awarded ‘Founders Prize’ by British Ecological Society. This Prize is awarded to an outstanding early career ecologist who is starting to make a significant contribution to the science of ecology.

Irish Soil Moisture Monitoring Network (ISMON) launched

A new Irish Soil Moisture Monitoring Network (ISMON) has been launched with the project being jointly led by UCD, Met Éireann and Teagasc . The UCD Long-term Grazing Platform at UCD Lyons Research Farm will be one of ten stations across Ireland where soil moisture conditions will be monitored.

Blue light may hold the key for improving coat condition in horses with PPID

Researchers at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science have announced a collaboration with colleagues at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Centre for a large-scale study to investigate the effects of blue light treatment in PPID horses over a 12-month period. The UCD team are recruiting interest from owners of horses and ponies with PPID.

Creating a university evolution garden: An integrated learning approach for teaching land plant evolution

A recent paper published by Dr. Caroline Elliott Kingston, Head of Horticulture, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science discussing turning the awarding winner UCD Bloom Garden "Evolution of Land Plants Garden" into a teaching & outreach resource.

New Dean of Agriculture and Head of School appointed at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science

Professor Frank Monahan has been appointed to the role of Dean of Agriculture and Head of School, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science from September 1st, 2021.

$UCD AgSoc gifts €15,000 to charity despite COVID-19 restrictions hampering fundraising drive\n$

UCD AgSoc gifts €15,000 to charity despite COVID-19 restrictions hampering fundraising drive

Despite significant challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, which has kept most people off campus for much of the academic year, members of the society presented two cheques totalling €7,500 each to representatives from Strange Boat and Embrace Farm.

$Soapbox Science Dublin returns on 3rd July organised by staff from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. \n$

Soapbox Science Dublin returns on 3rd July organised by staff from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.

Twelve (12) female scientists are set to talk about their research in areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) at Soapbox Science Dublin 2021.

The event will involve speakers from University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Department of Agriculture Food, and the Marine (DAFM) and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

$UCD to host virtual Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Summer School \n$

UCD to host virtual Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Summer School

The UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Virtual Summer School 2020 will take place on Thursday, 10th June at 11.30am. This years’ programme has once again been tailored from an on-campus event to an exciting interactive virtual experience. The event is aimed at Transition Year, 5th year and 6th year secondary school students who are considering their CAO applications, and will provide an overview of some of the opportunities and expertise available at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.

$The UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet Master\'s in Agricultural Extension & Innovation is now open for applications for 2021 entry. \n$

The UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet Master's in Agricultural Extension & Innovation is now open for applications for 2021 entry.

The Master's in Agricultural Extension & Innovation is a two-year part-time distance learning programme aimed at individuals employed in roles working directly with farmers. This is the fourth year that UCD and Macra Agricultural Skillnet have collaborated on this partially funded programme.

Ground-nesting bird populations are more likely to be in decline than any other European bird species

A recent study conducted by Dr. Barry McMahon, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science found ground-nesting bird populations are more likely to be in decline than any other European bird species, with 74% showing evidence of a long-term drop in numbers.

The UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science will host two online information events on 28th and 29th April to provide an overview of the 14 entry routes available to students entering in September 2021.

UCD staff members will provide information on entry requirements, career opportunities and subject choices along with study abroad opportunities and professional work experience which is consistently rated as a highlight of the programme by students. Current students will discuss their experience of studying at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and the event will conclude with a live Q & A session.

Applications are now open for the Walsh Scholarships Knowledge Transfer Programmes 2021.

The MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation and MSc Agricultural Innovation Support are collaborative funded programmes delivered by UCD and Teagasc for graduates with an interest and ambition to work in advisory and education roles. Applications are now open for September 2021 entry.

Agri Aware and UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science launch Essential Experiments video series for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science Students.

Agri Aware and UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science have come to the assistance of Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science students by developing a new curriculum-linked experiment video series to aid them in their studies. This is in response to the challenges of school closures and changes to the Agricultural Science curriculum. The Essential Experiments series contains at least 11 experiments that cover mandatory, Leaving Cert Agricultural Science experiment topics such as soils, milk quality and crop science and we developed by UCD academic staff.

$Making Rural Ireland Resilient\n$

Making Rural Ireland Resilient

A recent paper published by NESC (National Economic & Social Council) authored by Dr Edel Kelly, Dr Karen Keaveney and Dr Anne Markey from the UCD School of Agriculture explores "Challenges and Opportunities for Rural Ireland and the Agricultural Sector"

$UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science celebrate International Women\'s Day$

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science celebrate International Women's Day

To mark International Women’s Day 2021 the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science launched a series of short videos to celebrate the enormous contribution of their female graduates to the Agri-Food sector.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science launch new podcoast series "Agrifood Matters"

AgriFood Matters is an exciting new monthly podcast series developed by the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science featuring leading academic staff at UCD in the area of Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition.

UCD expands Agricultural Science DN250 offering for 2021 Entry

From September 2021, a reconfiguration of some existing programme codes and entry routes will provide students with more choice and time to select their preferred programme at UCD. Students selecting Agricultural Science DN250 (No Preference) will now have 11 exciting programme options to choose from including Dairy Business, Agri-Environmental Sciences, Forestry and Horticulture which were accessible via different CAO codes last year.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science Researcher awarded as Top Ranked Postgraduate of the Year in STEM

Dr Tara Dirilgen, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science received the ‘Thomas Mitchell Medal of Excellence’ at this year’s Irish Research Council (IRC) Research Awards.

The ‘Thomas Mitchell Medal of Excellence’ is awarded for being the top-ranked postdoctoral researcher in the STEM category and is one of four ‘Medals of Excellence’ present to early-career researchers at the annual Research of the Year Awards.

Fourteen UCD Research Projects Secure €10.2 million in Funding through the SFI Frontiers for the Future Programme

Professor Emmeline Hill, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and Professor Lisa Katz, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine awarded over €880,000 to investigate the dynamic interplay that exists between the inherited DNA sequence of a horse and the environment.

UCD Agricultural Sciences ranked 24th in the world and is top ranked subject at UCD

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science remains among the best in the world, ranked 24th in the world and is the top ranked subject at UCD according to the latest US News & World Report's Best Global University rankings. University College Dublin ranked as the number one university in Ireland.

AgSoc raises an incredible €60,000 for two charities

The Agricultural Science Society (AgSoc) at University College Dublin have raised an incredible €60,000 for their two nominated charities this year: St John’s Ward Crumlin Hospital and Teac Tom supported by The Thomas Hayes Trust.

UCD announces two new international colleges in China

University College Dublin and two of its partner universities have received official approval from the Chinese Ministry of Education for two new international colleges in China. The approval of these two new international colleges in China marks a major milestone for UCD and confirms its standing as Ireland’s Global University. Each is in a different academic discipline area, reflecting research expertise within UCD in ICT, transportation and agriculture and food.

$The UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet Master\'s in Agricultural Extension & Innovation is now open for applications for 2020 entry. \n$

The UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet Master's in Agricultural Extension & Innovation is now open for applications for 2020 entry.

The Master's in Agricultural Extension & Innovation is a two-year part-time distance learning programme aimed at individuals employed in roles working directly with farmers. This is the third year that UCD and Macra Agricultural Skillnet have collaborated on this partially funded programme.

Agri Aware and UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science come to the rescue of Ag Science students and teachers with virtual educational resources

Due to the threat of Covid-19, Agri Aware was forced to cancel its recent planned Farm Walk and Talk event at UCD Lyons Farm. However all was not lost! UCD staff stepped in to deliver a virtual event and record short educational video modules on a range of relevant topics for students.

Agriculture and Forestry at UCD ranked in the Top 50 in the world

Agriculture and Forestry at UCD is one of four subjects now ranked in the Top 50 in the World by the QS World University Rankings by Subject which were announced recently. Agriculture and Forestry is also one of 15 subjects at UCD ranked Number 1.

UCD Lyons Farm to welcome 350 secondary school agricultural science students as part of AgriAware Farm Walk and Talk

Farm Walk and Talk is an annual event organised by Agri Aware. Over a two week period 3000 Agricultural Science students from across Ireland will visit UCD Lyons Farm, Farmers Journal Farm and Teagasc farms across Ireland including Lyons Farm on 10th March.

$UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science takes home Great Agri-food Debate trophy for fourth time.\n$

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science takes home Great Agri-food Debate trophy for fourth time.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science has won the Great Agri-food Debate 2020 after they were declared overall winners for the fourth time at this year’s contest in Belfast. Held for the first time in Northern Ireland, the two-day event saw a team from UCD match wits with last year’s winners Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) over farmer subsidies.

Record number of exhibitors attend UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day 2020.

Attended by a record number of 50 exhibitors the UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day, took place on Wednesday, 12th February 2020 in the UCD Ad Astra Hall.

$UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science presented Athena SWAN award.\n$

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science presented Athena SWAN award.

The UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science were one of seven schools from University College Dublin to be presented with the award for their work towards gender equality at an event in Dublin.

Four UCD Agricultural Science students awarded with sought-after overseas professional development travel bursaries

The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) and the Irish Farmers Journal have announced details of the recipients of the much-coveted PWE (Professional Work Experience) travel bursaries. Four third-level Agricultural Science students from University College Dublin will be supported via the award while on work placements in New Zealand, Chile, and Europe this year.

$NovaUCD Awarded €3 million for Collaborative Project to Develop an AgTech Connector Innovation Hub in Kildare\n$

NovaUCD Awarded €3 million for Collaborative Project to Develop an AgTech Connector Innovation Hub in Kildare

NovaUCD (UCD Nova DAC), the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs at University College Dublin (UCD), has been awarded €3 million in funding to develop an AgTech Connector Innovation Hub at the UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare.

$Professor Áine Ní Dhúbhain addresses Oireachtas committee on the Socio-Economic Impact of Forestry.\n$

Professor Áine Ní Dhúbhain addresses Oireachtas committee on the Socio-Economic Impact of Forestry.

Professor Áine Ní Dhúbhain addressed the Oireachtas committee on the findings of a recent report "The Socio-Economic Impact of Forestry in Co. Leitrim". The report was commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science awarded over €3.1 million for research.

The UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science was recently awarded over €3.1 million euro in funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine across 13 research projects. The awards were part of a government investment of €20 million.

Researchers identify genetic link which may explain why so many Thoroughbred horses never race

New research by scientists at University College Dublin and equine science company Plusvital has established that genes associated with behaviour may play as big a role as a horse’s physical attributes in whether a Thoroughbred horse races or not.

Professor Kevin McDonnell, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science awarded Fullbright Scholarship.

15 of 36 coveted Fulbright scholarships have been awarded to students and scholars at University College Dublin including Professor Kevin McDonnell from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.

UCD wins silver at Bloom 2019

The UCD Bloom Garden has been awarded a Silver Gilt Medal in the Large-Concept Garden Category at Bloom 2019.

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science

Agriculture and Food Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.

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