New team at the helm of NIIAS
Outgoing NIIAS President Dr Joan Moss congratulates CAFRE's Gavin McQuaid on his election as Chairman for 2012/13
This year’s NIIAS (Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science) Annual General Meeting was hosted by Coca-Cola and included a guided tour of the company’s new production facility at Lisburn. Institute members were also briefed on Coca-Cola’s commitment to the sustainable use of water and energy – in tandem with its strong focus on re-cycling.
The AGM saw the election of DARD’s Dr Sam Kennedy as President (to serve a three year term) and CAFRE’s Gavin McQuaid as Chairman. Marian Scott, from Devenish Nutrition, was elected to the position of Vice Chairman.
Courtesy of his address to the meeting Gavin paid tribute to the great contribution made to NIIAS by outgoing President Joan Moss and Chairman John Thornton. He went on to confirm the continuing role for NIIAS within the Agri Food sector and highlighted the challenge of growing the organisation’s membership base as a key priority for 2012/13.
NIIAS represents the professional interests of agriculture and food science graduates/diplomats working in Northern Ireland.
The AGM also saw the following members elected to the NIIAS Committee for 2012/13. Frank Foster (Treasurer), Dr David Wright (PRO), Cormac McKervey, Richard Halleron, George Starrett, Keith Agnew, Steven Millar and John Thornton. Kate Curran will continue as NIIAS Executive Secretary
More pictures can be seen in the NIIAS News section.
Foster highlights the potential for agri food in Northern Ireland
Attending this week's NIIAS Annual Conference l to r
AFBI Chief Executive Officer Dr Seamus Kennedy; Ulster Farmers' Union Chief Executive Clarke Black; Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster MLA, Moy Park Director Tony O'Neill and NIIAS Chairman John Thornton
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster MLA has made it clear that she expects the soon-to-be launched Food Strategy Group for Northern Ireland to come up with new and innovative ideas for the future of the agri food sectors. And that clock is already ticking!
Addressing members of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) courtesy of the organisation’s annual conference, she confirmed that the local farming and food industries are primed for future growth and that the Executive at Stormont would play its part in helping to realise this as part of the overall economic strategy for the province.
Full details can be seen in the NIIAS News section.
Addressing members of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) courtesy of the organisation’s annual conference, she confirmed that the local farming and food industries are primed for future growth and that the Executive at Stormont would play its part in helping to realise this as part of the overall economic strategy for the province.
Full details can be seen in the NIIAS News section.
Adding value is the only show in town
Dr David Dobbin and Dr Joan Moss
United dairy Farmers’ Group Chief Executive David Dobbin has indicated that world dairy markets may soften in 2012, but he remains confident that the milk sector in Northern Ireland has a bright, long term future.
Speaking at a networking breakfast hosted by the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science, prior to the commencement of this year’s Winter Fair, he added that local milk producers had no option but to become better and more efficient at what they do.
“This principle holds for every industry,” Dr Dobbin further explained.
“Farmers can take one of five options when it comes to managing their businesses. They can decide to get out, get bigger, get better, get into something new or simply stand still. But the reality is that the latter option is, de facto, a slow exit strategy.” More Details and pictures can be seen in the NIIAS News section.
Speaking at a networking breakfast hosted by the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science, prior to the commencement of this year’s Winter Fair, he added that local milk producers had no option but to become better and more efficient at what they do.
“This principle holds for every industry,” Dr Dobbin further explained.
“Farmers can take one of five options when it comes to managing their businesses. They can decide to get out, get bigger, get better, get into something new or simply stand still. But the reality is that the latter option is, de facto, a slow exit strategy.” More Details and pictures can be seen in the NIIAS News section.
NIIAS celebrates its 50th Anniversary Dinner in style
John Thornton, Dr Mark Browne, Richard Halleron
Members of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agriculture Science (NIIAS) gathered for a gala dinner at Parliament Buildings, Stormont earlier this week to mark the 50th Anniversary of the organisation. NIIAS represents the professional interests of agri food graduates and diplomats working in Northern Ireland. Speaking at the event DARD Deputy Secretary Dr Mark Browne said that one of the biggest challenges society faces in the coming decades is the need to meet the growing demand for food.
More details and pictures from the dinner are available in the News section.
More details and pictures from the dinner are available in the News section.
NIIAS Annual Charity Quiz raises over £1,000
On the 13th Oct, NIIAS will held its annual Charity Quiz at Harlequins Rugby Club and raised over £1,000 for it's chosen charity for 2011.
This year’s chosen charity was Alpha Primary in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Alpha Primary is situated in a underprivileged community. Over the past 5 years the school has become a shining light within the community with an upgraded staff room, new toilet facilities and most recently a greenhouse project to teach the children how to grow vegetables. A very important project at the school is the providing of two remedial teachers, Mrs Wendy Nel and Mrs Bev Liss, who spend 6 hours a week with 24 kids. This project is in its second year and the impact that it is having is phenomenal.
See more photos in the News section
This year’s chosen charity was Alpha Primary in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Alpha Primary is situated in a underprivileged community. Over the past 5 years the school has become a shining light within the community with an upgraded staff room, new toilet facilities and most recently a greenhouse project to teach the children how to grow vegetables. A very important project at the school is the providing of two remedial teachers, Mrs Wendy Nel and Mrs Bev Liss, who spend 6 hours a week with 24 kids. This project is in its second year and the impact that it is having is phenomenal.
See more photos in the News section
Tremendous turn out for NIIAS Networking Breakfast
There was a tremendous turnout of agri/food industry leaders and young professionals for the recent NIIAS (Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science) Networking Breakfast. The key speaker at the event was Devenish Nutrition’s Managing Director Owen Brennan, who confirmed that the agri food sector has a tremendous future at the very heart of the local economy.
See the News section for more details and photos
See the News section for more details and photos
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NIIAS members take a tumble in the Jungle
The NI Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) summer outing and barbeque to the Focus Farm of Robert Carmichael, Moneymore, gave members the opportunity to view one of the most remarkable farm diversification projects anywhere in NI. It also reflected attempts by NIIAS to broaden their appeal and attract new members into the organisation.
See the News section for more details |
John Thornton - New NIIAS Chairman
NIIAS Chairman John Thornton and Vice Chairman Gavin McQuaid
John Thornton is the chairman of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) for 2011/12. He was elected unopposed at the organisation’s recent AGM. The Institute represents the professional interests of all agriculture and food science graduates working in Northern Ireland
A Master’s Graduate from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, John is Managing Director of Alltech Ireland. See the News section for more details
A Master’s Graduate from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, John is Managing Director of Alltech Ireland. See the News section for more details
NIIAS visits FaneValley Feeds
NIIAS members and Fane Valley Feeds staff
The new £18 million FaneValley feed mill near Omagh was the venue for the recent Spring Visit enjoyed by members of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS). The Institute represents the professional interests of agriculture and food science graduates working in Northern Ireland. Fane Valley Feeds’ managing director Robin Irvine was the host for the event, which included a tour of the new facility.
See the News section for more details
See the News section for more details
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NIIAS and ASA visit to Brussels
View some of the images from the CEDIA organised visit to Brussels in September 2010 in the News section