New Crop Specialist Appointed at Teagasc

Shay Phelan has been appointed as a new Crop Specialist at Teagasc

Horticulture

13 May 2016

The Teagasc Authority has approved the appointment of Shay Phelan, as a Crops Specialist, based at the Teagasc Crops Research Centre in Oak Park. He will be working as part of a team of crops specialists in the Crops Knowledge Transfer Department led by Michael Hennessy.

Shay Phelan has been working as a Teagasc Tillage Business and Technology advisor, providing technical advice to farmers on tillage crops and potatoes, covering counties Dublin, Kildare, Laois and Meath over the last fifteen years. Prior to that, he worked as a dairy advisor on the Teagasc/Glanbia joint programme for four years.

Shay graduated from University College Dublin with an Honours Degree in Agricultural Science (B.Agr.Sc.) He went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Studies in Farm Financial Management at the Waterford Institute of Technology.

A native of County Laois, Shay brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as an agronomist in cereals, break crops and potatoes. He will be supporting the Teagasc Business and Technology Tillage advisors, tillage farmers and the industry in the northern half of the country, to improve the performance on farms. He has been involved in the Teagasc BETTER Farm Crops Programme, which has proved effective in increasing the transfer of knowledge and technology at farm level. He will work with the Teagasc crops research team in Oak Park to identify areas for further research to maintain and improve the international competitiveness of the Irish tillage sector.

Speaking on his appointment Shay Phelan, said: “I am excited about the new challenges this role in Teagasc brings. The sector is currently facing downward price pressure on international markets, which means the focus on improving on-farm efficiency becomes more critical than ever. I am looking forward to working with tillage growers, Teagasc tillage advisors and researchers, and private consultants to address those challenges.”

Michael Hennessy, Head of the Teagasc Crops Knowledge Transfer Department, congratulated Shay on his appointment, saying: “He has an excellent track record of working with industry partners, with tillage farmer discussion groups, and through technical publications, to transfer relevant information and knowledge out to growers and persuade them to act on it and implement changes.”