Friday, May 27 is the closing date for applications to QQI accredited level 5 courses at Teagasc agricultural and horticultural colleges.

Gráinne McMahon has been appointed assistant principal at Teagasc’s College in Kildalton, Piltown, Co Kilkenny, responsible for horticulture, student welfare, access, security, and rules and regulations.

Dairy farming convert Edward Payne from Co Roscommon has been chosen as the 2014 Teagasc Student of the Year, a prestigious annual competition sponsored by FBD Trust.

Teagasc has named new agricultural colleges principals — Majella Moloney in Teagasc Agricultural College, Clonakilty, Co Cork; and John Kelly in Teagasc Agricultural College, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan.

Cut foliage could sustain 400 jobs by 2020 if Ireland can add value to export products such as flower bouquets and baskets, say industry experts.

Three men charged in connection with the discovery of two cannabis grow houses in Co Kilkenny earlier this week are due to appear in court this morning.

Three men remain in custody after Gardaí seized cannabis plants and herbal cannabis worth an estimated €3m in Co Kilkenny yesterday afternoon.

CONSUMERS can help sustain Irish jobs by buying home-produced seed potatoes, apples and other horticulture goods, according to one Teagasc expert.

LOOK out for Feirm Factor. The third series begins at 8.45pm next Sunday on TG4, with a repeat on Wednesday night at 10.30pm.

Gardaí have named the two people who died in separate crashes in Kilkenny and Cork yesterday.

A 41-YEAR-OLD man became the 167th person to die on Irish roads this year after the car he was driving was involved in a horrific crash with a lorry on the main Cork to Limerick road.

TEAGASC is to sell its Kilmaley, Co Clare farm of 49 hectares (121 acres) and about one hectare (2.5 acres) with development potential at Kinsealy in north Dublin.

TEAGASC figures showing a significant increase in the numbers entering agricultural colleges this year have been welcomed by Macra na Feirme president Catherine Buckley.

INVESTMENTS needed to secure Single Payments, through cross-compliance, and to qualify for REPS, should be given priority, farmers have been advised by Dr Tom Kelly, programme manager of farm management and technology services at Teagasc in Kildalton.

A STUDENT from Lattin, Co Tipperary, who studied with Teagasc at Clonakilty Agricultural College, is the winner of the DeLaval Cream award.

AN outdoor farmers market will be recreated at Kildalton College, Co Kilkenny, so that visitors to Agriculture and Food 06 can see and taste the best of Irish artisan and speciality foods.

A 22-YEAR-OLD student from Co Tipperary, representing Clonakilty Agricultural College in West Cork, is the 2006 Teagasc FBD National Student of the Year.