Dairygold Co-Operative Society has awarded bursaries to two students undertaking the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at University College Cork (UCC).

This year’s recipients are Patrick Kirby, from Killeedy, Co. Limerick, and Cian Walters, from Ballysimon, Co. Limerick.

The students will receive an annual bursary for the duration of their four-year undergraduate studies and will also be offered the opportunity to conduct their 12-week industry placement with Dairygold.

The agricultural science course is based in UCC's School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and is delivered in partnership with Teagasc.

Dairygold

Michael Harte, Dairygold chief executive said the co-op has been supporting students with bursaries for the past seven years.

"Through initiatives like the Dairygold Bursary, we are investing in the future of our industry, encouraging new thinking, strengthening capability, and developing the agri-business leaders of the future.

"By recognising and supporting students like Patrick and Cian, we drive positive change and innovation within the industry, and I wish them all the best in their future studies," he said.

Prof. Frank Buckley, head of agricultural science and academic director of the agricultural science degree programme at UCC, thanked Dairygold for their "continued generosity and foresight".

"The course provides our students with unique opportunities to be immersed in ‘best practice’, deepening their knowledge, opening up opportunity, and forming a key part of their personal and professional development," he added.

Students

The UCC course provides students with access to some of Ireland's most profitable, sustainable, and in many cases award-winning dairy farmers, for regular field-based training.

The course includes 18-week dairy work placements and a 12-week individually tailored industry placement.

Prof. Laurence Shalloo, head of the animal and grassland research and innovation programme, Teagasc, said:

"To meet this challenge, the agri-food sector and agricultural professionals need a strong technical, agronomic and environmental knowledge base to ensure the production of safe, nutritious food products, while protecting the environment.

"This degree is especially tailored to attract those individuals with a particular passion for dairying and provides a rigorous understanding of the science of agriculture, the business of farming and sustainability, that is necessary to underpin the profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Irish dairying and the wider agri-food industry," he added.