Zoe McKay

Zoe McKay, dairy farming with her partner in Mayo and Assistant Professor at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. 

As a 2025 Nuffield Ireland Scholar, Zoe’s research topic “Future Grasslands for Climate Adaptation: What are the options for Ireland?” aims to evaluate grassland strategies to adapt to climate change and increase the sustainability of Ireland’s grass-based production systems.

Zoe grew up in the farming community of Ballyfin Co. Laois and now lives in Ballina Co. Mayo with her partner Michael where they are dairy farming.

Zoe graduated with a BAgrSc in 2015 and completed her PhD in dairy production in 2019, both from University College Dublin (UCD) Ireland.

She is currently an Assistant Professor of Grass and Forage Science in the School of Agriculture and Food Science in UCD. Within this role Zoe is the Programme Director for the undergraduate degree programme Sustainable Food Systems and leads a grassland research programme at UCD Lyons Farm. Additionally, Zoe is secretary to the board of Dairy Women Ireland.