27 May 2024
Getting to know: David Kenny
With a lifelong passion for farming, David Kenny leads the Animal and Bioscience Research Department at Teagasc Grange, with a special focus on nutrition and emissions in livestock production systems.
Hi David! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am Head of the Animal and Bioscience Research Department and am based at the Grange campus. I have worked in the area of cattle nutrition, growth and nutritional physiology since commencing my PhD studies. I conduct research examining the role of diet on the performance of the animal, its reproductive efficiency and more recently its rumen methane emissions. I am also the President of the British Society of Animal Science.
When did you first become interested in scientific research?
I was raised on a small mixed farm in County Mayo and have been steeped in farming and rural life for as long as I can remember. Farming relies heavily on scientific discovery for its continued adaptation and development. I studied Animal Science at University College Dublin (UCD) and then progressed to complete a PhD in cattle nutrition and reproductive physiology.
What led you to Teagasc?
On finishing my undergraduate degree, I was fortunate to be awarded a Walsh Scholarship to study for a PhD degree under the supervision of Joe Sreenan and Michael Diskin at the Teagasc Research Centre at Belclare and later Athenry, Co. Galway. After completing my PhD, I spent short periods in the Teagasc Specialist Advisory Service and as a Research Officer at Moorepark. I then moved to UCD to take up a permanent position as a Lecturer in Beef Cattle Husbandry, where I worked for six years before returning to Teagasc in 2009 as a Principal Research Officer in Ruminant Animal Nutritional Physiology.
What does your current research focus on?
I have recently completed a large SFI-funded research programme on the molecular control of bull fertility. I will be continuing some of that work through an EU Marie Curie Doctoral Studies Network in which I am involved. I have also just commenced, as co-ordinator, a large Horizon Europe-funded project that will examine aspects of the sustainability of European livestock production systems. This will be a new and exciting departure for me as the project will be multidisciplinary in nature with particular focus on econometrics, social science and stakeholder engagement. I am also involved in a number of other EU and nationally funded research projects focused on reducing methane emissions and the overall carbon footprint of beef cattle production.
What are your interests outside of work?
Farming is my passion and I run a small pedigree Charolais beef cattle herd and sheep flock on my home farm. I also breed pedigree Border Collie sheepdogs. While farming can bring its own share of hardship at times, I am also a long suffering Mayo football fan to boot!
CONTACT
david.kenny@teagasc.ie