Following a council meeting last week, Dr. Alan Kelly was elected as the new president of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society – replacing Trevor Masterson for the remaining tenure of this presidential term.
He holds an honours degree in Animal Science and a PhD in Cattle Nutritional Physiology from University College Dublin and subsequently worked for a year as a post doctoral research scientist at UCD Research Farm, Lyons Estate.
Since 2011, he has been employed as a lecturer in Animal Science at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. Alan lectures and coordinates modules mainly in the areas of advanced beef production and ruminant nutrition.
His research areas of interest include the development of blueprints for efficient bull beef production systems, maximising the performance of beef cattle through dietary and management interventions designed to improve economically important traits (feed intake, growth, feed efficiency, compensatory growth and cattle digestion/fermentation), nutrition and health management of calves and strategies to enhance the reproductive efficiency of beef cows.
He has published extensively on these topics and has presented the findings of this research at national and international conferences. Alan is also the vice president of the Irish Grassland Association and will take up presidential duties in September of this year.
Additionally, Alan is also involved in the running of a pedigree Limousin herd in his native county of Westmeath.
Commenting on his appointment, Alan said:
“Firstly, I`m honoured to step in and take on the role of president of ILCS. I would like to acknowledge the work of the departing president, and thank him for all the contributions he made towards the betterment of the society.
“The remaining months of this presidential term coincides with important and momentous events for the breed. The society has an array of exciting events scheduled – kicking off with the National Limousin Championship at Tullamore Show next week, then rolling into the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Limousin breed in Ireland, hosted at Carrick on Shannon in late September. This will be followed by the principal autumn sales events scheduled at Roscrea and Athenry.
“There is a large body of work in the interim needed to deliver on this exciting events schedule, coupled with the ongoing developments and forward progression of our breeding programmes and initiatives.
“I plan to work closely with our CEO, council and administrative team and, collectively, we will deliver on these goals for the membership of the ILCS and the wider promotion of Limousin genetics within the national cattle herd.”
