The 2016 Teagasc Gold Medal has been presented to Billy Kelleher, a Regional Advisory Manager for west Cork.
The medal is an annual award; presented to a person for his or her exceptional contribution to Teagasc, as well as his or her contribution to the agriculture and food sectors.
The award was recently presented by Teagasc Chairman, Dr. Noel Cawley, at a meeting of the Teagasc Authority in Oak Park, Co. Carlow.
“As an advisor, Billy covered all enterprises and was highly technically competent in all; in particular dairy and tillage, where he served a large client base of farmers.
“He led the Teagasc Dairygold Joint Dairy Development Programme for 12 years, from 2000 to 2012; before being appointed as Regional Manager of the advisory services in Cork west.
“Since this appointment, the advisory service in Cork west, the Carbery Joint Programme, and linkages with Clonakilty Agricultural College have all prospered,” said Cawley.
A native of Upton in West Cork, Kelleher commenced his career in the Inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; but soon moved to advisory positions under the County Committee of Agriculture, ACOT and Teagasc.
As an advisor, he implemented a milk protein improvement programme; which became the precursor to the Teagasc Protein 350 Programme.
As part of his service, some of the earliest dairy and tillage discussion groups in the country were instigated and led from the Mullinavat and Mallow offices, starting in 1981.
Well trained and motivated staff, Kelleher said, will provide a bright future for the advisory service to support farmers to develop their farms and achieve a viable income from their farm enterprises.
Previous winners of the Teagasc Gold Medal include, Prof. Liam Donnelly; Dr. Paul Cusack; Nuala King; Prof. Paul Ross; Dr. Lance O’Brien; Christy Watson; Prof. Tim Guinea; and Dr. Padraig O’Kiely.