The 2025 recipient of the Agricultural Science Association’s (ASA’s) Distinguished Member Award is Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research in Teagasc. The presentation was made at the annual ASA conference in Cork yesterday evening.

The nomination was made by the council of the Agricultural Science Association and its President, Susan Maher. The award is for an Agricultural Science graduate whose work has had a lasting impact on the industry.

Professor Dillon is an exceptional figure in Irish agriculture, whose career has profoundly shaped the dairy industry in Ireland and beyond. A visionary scientist, an inspiring leader and a committed educator, Professor Dillon’s work has left a lasting legacy through his pioneering research, strategic leadership and tireless dedication to improving pasture-based dairy systems.

Professor Dillon was born on a small dairy farm in west Clare in the late fifties. He completed a Certificate in Agriculture and a Diploma in Dairy Farm Management at Mountbellew and Clonakilty Agricultural Colleges, respectively. After an early role as Assistant Farm Manager with the Lynch family of Minane Bridge, he joined Moorepark in 1978 as a technical officer.

He took a four-year period of study leave and graduated with a B.Agr.Sc. degree from UCD in 1986. He returned to Moorepark as a researcher, later earning master’s and doctoral degrees from University College Cork.

His research career then began in earnest at Teagasc Moorepark. Across his career he has authored over 100 scientific research papers and has played a pivotal role in developing Ireland’s world-renowned pasture-based dairy systems.

Professor Dillon became Head of Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre in 2004. In 2009 he was appointed Head of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme at Teagasc, overseeing research and knowledge transfer across dairy, beef, sheep and pigs and managing a staff of over 250 people. In 2021, Professor Dillon was appointed as head of research at Teagasc, leading research programmes in animal and grassland research, crops and the environment, food and the rural economy.

Professor Dillon’s career stands as a testament to what can be achieved through science-led innovation, collaborative leadership and an unwavering commitment to farming and food sustainability. His leadership has transformed Ireland’s dairy industry and inspired generations of scientists, advisors and farmers.

Agricultural Science Association Fellowship 2025

The annual ASA Fellowship, organised by the ASA and FBD was awarded to Dr Bridget Lynch, Head of the Agricultural Catchment Programme in Teagasc. The ASA Fellowship generously sponsored by FBD is open to applications from all full ASA members with a minimum of five years’ experience working in the Irish agri-food industry.

Pictured at the Presentation of the ASA fellowship sponsored by FBD were
Dr Michael Berkery, FBD Trust, Dr Bridget Lynch, ASA Fellowship recipient and President of the ASA, Susan Maher

The aim of the Fellowship is to assist the recipient to further develop  their scientific knowledge and experience while enhancing their communications skills in the sharing of scientific information in an engaging and accessible manner to the public.