A 28-year-old dairy farmer with a fondness for the annual “Pig and Porter” tag rugby competition has been chosen by Macra na Feirme as young farmer of the year.

Entry points to the degree course in agricultural science in UCD have increased by over 40% since 2007 — a product of the 120% increase in applications, according to Agricultural Science Association president Karina Pierce.

National agri-food research body Teagasc says its proposal to plant blight-resistant GM potatoes outdoors in Ireland is a necessary part of a trial to gauge their ecological impacts on bacterial, fungal, nematode and earthworm diversity in the soil.

AGRICULTURAL science graduates feeling the chill wind of the recession have the opportunity to explore how they can broaden their horizons, and expand their job prospects, at a forum organised by the Agricultural Science Association (ASA), in University College Dublin, on Thursday, November 26.