Kate originally studied law, but her family’s fishing history led her to develop a strong interest in aquaculture. Her research found that the majority of naturally occurring mussel beds have been fished out and destroyed, resulting in the Irish mussel industry being severely constrained in terms of potential growth and being reliant on importing mussel seed from other countries. Therefore, in 2010, Kate applied for an aquaculture licence for her first start-up company – Irish Mussel Seed Company (IMSC).

Kate broke new ground when, in 2019, her company became the first fully licensed offshore mussel seed provider on the east coast; thereby creating a new license type for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. IMSC will cultivate mussel seed from the Irish Sea utilising the most sustainable method of aquaculture available in the world. IMSC is working towards an overall zero carbon footprint farm. Kate’s innovative approach has gained her widespread recognition within the industry and she has been awarded several entrepreneurial accolades.

Kate’s studies in aquaculture culminated in her obtaining a H Dip in Business in Aquabusiness in 2018. Since then, she founded Aqualicense to enable increased seafood production globally through aquaculture by integrating deep tech with industry expertise to deliver Smart aquaculture licence applications and associated reports.

Exploring the Potential for Offsetting Agriculture’s Carbon Footprint through Aquaculture’s Carbon Efficiency and Sequestration

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Gareth grew up on our family-run dairy, beef and sheep farm along the shores of Lough Swilly in Co. Donegal. He is married to Eleanor and living in a village nearby the home farm.  He works full time as a dairy farmer, alongside his father, brothers and uncle.  After graduating with a B.Sc. in Agricultural Technology from Queen’s University Belfast and CAFRE Greenmount in 2013, he embarked on a six month trip to New Zealand.

Here, he enjoyed working on several dairy farms and one beef and sheep farm. This experience opened his eyes to the opportunities a thriving agricultural industry can provide to individuals, families, businesses and the wider community.  About the time he returned home from NZ, his family completed the purchase of another block of land. Thanks to this, and the subsequent lease of land nearby, they have been able to increase their dairy herd numbers and have plans in place to establish a second dairy unit.

He is an active member of our local Inishowen Dairy Discussion Group.  His chosen study topic was influenced greatly by his time in New Zealand. During this, he was able to understand first hand how changes, such as the huge conversion of land into dairying, and the further extensification of beef and sheep farming had had on rural businesses and communities.

He hopes to travel to New Zealand and Kenya as well as a number of other countries in his travels.

The impact of on-farm decisions in our society

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Following this I spent two years in New Zealand, this was a huge eye opener into scale, business growth and people management. I came home in 2006 and was lucky enough to land a good opportunity as Farm Manager to convert a high input farm to grass based spring production which was Mt. Melleray Abbey in Cappoquin Co. Waterford. After six years and quota constraints I felt I had the farm taken to the targets that were set out at the beginning.

Following this I spent seven years working for LIC Ireland initially as a breeding advisor, my next role was in farm consultancy and my final two years as Sales Manager for Ireland.

I moved on in December 2018 to grow my own business in Dairy Farming. I am now in a 50/50 lease /partnership with Pat Ryan (Captal Farms) in Old Parish, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford currently milking 180 cows on an 80ha block. We began producing milk in February 2017, and we plan growing this to 200 cows and we will see from there if the land type can take more.

I’m currently Operation Manager in Cantwells Court Farm in Kilkenny with 500 cows, I also work closely with Captal Farms in supervision of the Dairy units.

I’m a member of the Shared Vision Discussion Group and currently Vice Chair in 2019. I’m also a member of the newly formed Demeter Discussion Group.

My study topic is:

No Farm, No Problem! Pathways for a Rewarding Career in Dairy Farming.

I plan to use my relevant previous experience of my existing farm lease as a base to explore from as I’m now in year three of that business start-up.

I would like to travel to South America, Asia, European countries and Canada as part of my Nuffield Scholarship.

No Farm, No Problem! Pathways for a Rewarding Career in Dairy Farming.

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Bruce grew up on a mixed sheep, dairy and beef farm in Co. Laois. Now married to Laura they live on the side of the Slieve Blooms with their two young children Cooper and Keelin.

After qualifying with a Diploma in Automobile Engineering in 2003, he went on to complete a Teagasc Farm Management Course to return home to farm. Together with his father, Ian, Bruce has concentrated their farm solely on dairying, operating an expanding grass based Spring calving herd. Off farm, Bruce is the secretary of a farmer purchasing group, a member of a Teagasc discussion group and is the Chairperson of his area Glanbia Advisory Committee.

Bruce will travel to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand where state funded programmes and start up companies of beetle introduction are used to battle flies, parasites and clean pastures. He also intends to travel to the UK to visit entomologists.

Bruce was appointed to the Nuffield Ireland board in 2022.

Anthelmintic resistance control measures incorporating pastoral management and dung beetles to increase biodiversity

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