Callan woman wins Grassland Student of the Year Award

The 2023 Graduates of the Teagasc/UCD Level 7 Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course were presented with their diplomas at an awards ceremony at Teagasc Moorepark on Tuesday, 19th December.

The awards were presented by Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Head of Education at Teagasc and Associate Professor in Dairy Production Professor Karina Pierce from UCD. Professor Karina Pierce congratulated the 10 participants who graduated at the ceremony, commenting on the knowledge and skills the graduates have developed over the last two years and wished them well in their dairy careers.

The Grassland Student of the Year award went to Linda Pfennig from Callan, County Kilkenny. This award was based on a comprehensive grassland assessment which Linda completed in her 2nd year where she worked with Kevin Cooney in County Tipperary. The Grassland Student of the Year award is sponsored by the Blackwater Discussion Group.

Dr Anne-Marie Butler congratulated the graduates and their families on the significant achievement. Dr Butler explained that these graduates join an elite group of skilled and vibrant fellow graduates who have completed the course over the last decade and are now leaders within the Irish dairy industry.

Dr Butler acknowledged the significant contribution of Teagasc research, education and advisory staff in delivering the programme as well as the commitment from host farmers who run successful farm businesses, while also providing invaluable mentoring to students and very generously share their time and private farm information with students.

The Overall Student of the Year award from the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course went to Tommy Dillane from Ardagh, County Limerick. Prior to completing the Level 7 diploma, Tommy completed the Level 6 Advanced Certificate at Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry.

During his two years in the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course, Tommy completed his first year placement with Niall O’Callaghan and James Moloney and his second year placement with James Murphy and Paidi Kelly, both farms in County Limerick. The Student of the Year award is sponsored by the Farm Apprenticeship Board, Irish Farm Managers Association and the Master Farmers.