Work begins on Padraig Walshe centre in Moorepark
Construction is underway on the Padraig Walshe Centre for Sustainable Animal and Grassland Research at Teagasc Moorepark.
The €12 million centre will provide state-of-the-art laboratory and animal metabolism facilities to support research aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nutrient losses from grassland-based livestock systems.
The facility will also focus on improving productivity and resilience, along with enhancing the environmental sustainability and competitiveness of Ireland’s agri food sector.
Padraig Walshe
The new centre is named after the late Padraig Walshe, who was a former chair of Farmer Business Developments plc and a past president of both COPA and the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
The project is being funded through a €6 million contribution from FBD Holdings plc, FBD Trust CLG and Farmer Business Developments plc.
This is being matched by €6 million in funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon welcomed the start of construction at Moorepark.
"This facility will strengthen Ireland’s capacity to develop and deliver practical solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses while protecting farm incomes and competitiveness.
"The work here will be central to meeting our climate and water quality objectives and to ensuring a sustainable future for our agri food sector," the minister said.
Research
Teagasc said it will work closely with the contractors and stakeholders to develop new facilities "that can translate research into practical solutions for farmers, industry and policy makers".
“The start of construction at Moorepark is an important milestone," Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc director, said.
"The new laboratory and animal metabolism facilities will allow Teagasc to undertake the mechanistic, in-depth research needed to develop solutions that are suitable for widespread adoption in grass-based systems.
"This new centre creates the capacity for mission critical studies that will deliver tangible benefits to farmers, industry and policy makers, helping to reduce emissions, improve nutrient efficiency and productivity and support a competitive and sustainable agri food sector in Ireland," he added.
Michael Berkery, chair of FBD Trust said "the research at Moorepark aligns with the Trust’s objectives to advance the interests of Irish farm families and the wider farming sector, delivering practical benefits for sustainable farming".
Tómas Ó Midheach, chief executive of FBD Holdings added: "The research enabled by this centre will help advance climate related solutions for farming".
While Pat Murphy, chair of Farmer Business Developments, said:
"We are pleased to support the centre and proud that it will bear the name of our late colleague Padraig Walshe.
"Padraig was a pioneering grass based dairy farmer who championed innovation and research. It is fitting that this facility will carry forward that legacy."
The design contract for the centre was awarded to CJ Falconer and Associates Architects.
Conack Construction has been awarded the contract to construct the laboratory building and Donnelly Civil Engineering Limited will construct the animal metabolism facility.
