Dr. Laurence Shalloo will now head up Teagasc’s research and innovation programme, which focuses on animals and grassland. The project carries out research on dairy, beef, sheep and pig animal bioscience and conducts studies on grassland. He will oversee teams in Athenry, Grange, Moorepark and Oak Park.
Director of Teagasc, Prof. Frank O’Mara said that, “Teagasc science is helping farmers and the agri-food industry position itself to meet the challenges ahead, as the sector adapts to new situations. Laurence’s experience and strong research track record in animal based farming systems, combined with his work on climate change mitigation and his role as deputy director of VistaMilk, equips him well to lead this important Teagasc programme.”
O’Mara also shared that Shalloo was known for his work in developing the economic breeding index (EBI), pasture profit index (PPI), PastureBase Ireland and the national carbon audit system for Irish dairy farms. He has also played a key role in the development of the ‘A plus B minus C’ milk payment.
Shalloo and his team will be focused on increasing the sustainability of Irish livestock production systems in the next five-year period. This spans everything from meeting the challenges of improving the living standards of farmers while reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs), to enhancing biodiversity and improving water quality.
Shalloo joined the research team in Moorepark in 2004. He is deputy director of the VistaMilk research centre and an adjunct professor at University College Cork (UCC).
LSL News.