Agri Careers 2017 will take place on Thursday 30 March 2017 in the RDS Main Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, brought to you by Irish Farmers Journal and open eir. Click here for more information.

Click here to register for Agri Careers 2017

ABP Food Group

ABP Food Group is one of Europe’s leading privately owned agribusiness companies. It is the largest beef processor in Ireland and the UK and also operates substantial renewable, pet food and protein divisions. ABP Food Group employs 10,000 people and has 46 manufacturing plants in Ireland the UK, Denmark, Poland, Austria, Holland, France and Spain. The company’s beef division is a major exporter of Irish beef. ABP Food Group is a founding member of Origin Green and was the first company globally to be awarded quadruple certification by The Carbon Trust for its sustainability initiatives.

Agricultural Mechanics at Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board

Agricultural mechanics are concerned with the fault-finding, repair and overhaul and maintenance of farm machinery. These farm machines could include for example forage harvesters, balers, bale wrappers, mowers and combine harvesters. Their skills overlap with other crafts within the motor family of crafts therefore they are equipped to carry out some repair work on all terrain vehicles (quads), light and heavy commercial vehicles, earth moving equipment and other vehicles. The overall duration of this programme is a minimum of four years provided all phases are successfully completed.

Agricultural Science Association (ASA)

The ASA is the professional body for graduates in agricultural, horticultural, forestry, environmental and food science. Members are primarily graduates (Level 8) of agricultural science from a number of national and internationally recognised universities. The association has almost 1,700 members from every discipline of the agri sector including Government departments, research, advisory, consultancy, education and training, agri-business and the media. The ASA was established in 1942 and Mary Delaney is the current president.

AgriTech

For the past 40 years Agritech has been manufacturing and supplying a range of quality, innovative, nutritional forage products for livestock farmers in Ireland from a complete manufacturing, research and distribution centre based in Nenagh, Co Tipperary. Products on Irish farms are sold through appointed distributors throughout Ireland and Agritech are now supplying markets in Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia countries.

Alltech

Founded in 1980 by Irish biochemist and entrepreneur Dr Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a leading global biotechnology company whose mission is to improve the health and performance of people, animals and plants through natural nutrition and scientific innovation. Alltech’s headquarters is in Kentucky in the US while the company has more than 100 manufacturing sites globally, with three bioscience centres, dedicated to research and education, two located in the US and one in Ireland.

Apprenticeship Services at Loughlinstown Training Centre

The Apprenticeship Services Unit at Loughlinstown Training Centre provides an advisory and support service to all apprentices and their employers. It looks after each apprentice from the registration process right through to their final phase of training. Each apprentice is allocated an adviser who will monitor their progress and support them during their apprenticeship. Across Ireland, there are 16 education and training boards, each one has their own apprenticeship services unit.

Arrabawn

Arrabawn Co-op is a diversified co-operative society with headquarters in Nenagh, Co Tipperary. The company has a workforce of over 350 and operates three divisions: Arrabawn Dairies, Arrabawn Food Ingredients and Arrabawn Agribusiness. Supported by an experienced leadership team of professionals, each division is focused on ensuring commitment to the highest standards of quality, efficiency, competitiveness and customer satisfaction to all stakeholders. Arrabawn is now one of the largest wholly farmer-owned, independent, unaffiliated milk processors in Ireland.

Ashbourne Meats

Ashbourne Meat Processors is one of Ireland’s leading beef processors, exporting premium chilled Irish beef all over Europe and the world since 1985 from cattle sourced at its abattoir in Roscrea, Co Tipperary. Ashbourne Meat Processors employs nearly 200 people and operates from two facilities in Ireland. Slaughtering, deboning and cold-storage facilities are in Roscrea, with deboning and cold storage facilities in Naas. Ashbourne Meats was established in 1985.

Aurivo

Aurivo is one of Ireland’s leading multipurpose co-operatives, with businesses in consumer foods, dairy ingredients, retail stores, animal feeds, livestock trading and sports nutrition. Employing about 700 people, Aurivo is a globally focused agribusiness with regional, national and international brands, and dairy ingredients exports to almost 50 countries in markets as diverse as Afghanistan, Africa, Central America, Costa Rica, Germany, Iraq and the UK.

Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland is the largest lender to the Irish economy and Ireland’s number one business bank, providing more than 50% of new SME and agriculture lending. Within business banking, there is a team of agri sector specialists, recruited from industry, to bring hands-on expertise to agri customers. The bank’s stability, proven track record and investment in people with agricultural expertise provides it with a strong platform to support existing and new customers and it will continue to meet the funding and investment requirements of Irish farmers and agribusinesses.

Bord Bia

Bord Bia is the Irish Government agency whose mission is to drive, through market insight, an in partnership with industry, the commercial success of a world-class Irish food, drink and horticulture industry. The organisation acts as a link between Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers and existing and potential customers around the world. Bord Bia has 13 global offices in locations such as Dubai, Shangai and Moscow.

CAFRE

Are you interested in continuing your education on a specialised course that will prepare you for a career or maybe you want a part-time course to study while you work? If so, now is the time to get your career sorted at CAFRE. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise provides a range of excellent courses and careers available in the agri-food and land-based industries. All its courses prepare you for a successful career in your chosen industry and make extensive use of the excellent teaching and practical facilities at each Campus.

CLAAS

CLAAS is a family business founded in 1913 and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery today. It is the European market leader in combine harvesters and world leader in self-propelled forage harvesters. It is also a top performer in agricultural technology, with its tractors, agricultural balers and green harvesting machinery. The CLAAS product portfolio also includes state-of-the-art farming information technology. CLAAS employs 11,300 people and operates from 11 factories worldwide, with a turnover of €3.6bn in the 2016 financial year. CLAAS’s UK and Ireland headquarters are in Suffolk.

COLM QUINN BMW I MINI I MOTORSTORE

In 2008, Colm Quinn opened a Centre of Excellence for BMW and MINI in Athlone.

Starting with just one employee, the company has grown year on year to now employing over 100 people, It opened in Galway in 2014 and Colm Quinn Motorstore in Athlone in 2016. Colm Quinn has nearly 30 years’ experience in the prestigious car market and is delighted to have built an equally knowledgeable, loyal and experienced team of people around him.

Connolly’s Red Mills

Located in Co Kilkenny, Connolly’s Red Mills has been the home of the Connolly family business since 1908. Today, we are one of the most trusted global names within the areas of high performance animal feed, pet food and agri products. The Red Mills brand is sold in 40 countries around the world, and it continues to build on its reputation for converting fresh, natural ingredients into the most trusted feed for peak performance right around the world.

Dairygold

Dairygold Co-Op Society Ltd is Ireland’s largest farmer-owned dairy business and the country’s second-largest dairy processor. The company has a turnover of €800m from its worldwide sales. Dairygold has three distinct business units – Dairy, which processes 18% of the Irish milk pool from its 2,900 suppliers; Agri-Business which is Ireland’s second-largest agri trader; and Retail (Dairygold owns 32 regional stores and seven co-op stores). Dairygold was established in 1990. It employs 1,204 people.

Dairymaster

Dairymaster is a world leader in dairy equipment manufacturing. The company’s global headquarters is based in Causeway, Co Kerry, as well as having operations in the UK and US. Dairymaster currently employs 360 people. It has a wide, innovative product range including milking equipment, feeding equipment, automatic manure scrapers, milk cooling tanks, health and fertility monitoring systems plus much more. Technology is a big focus throughout. Dairymaster was established in 1968 and Dr Edmond Harty is CEO.

Dawn Meats

Dawn Meats, which was established in 1980, is a family business based in Co Waterford. It processes quality Irish beef and lamb carcases and primal cuts for the European and global market. At the Agri Careers Fair, Dawn Meats will be looking for a wide range of graduates to fill its programme this year. Dawn Meats is also looking for team leaders to come and work within the company’s production section. Dawn Meats employs 3,300 people in Ireland and the CEO is Niall Browne.

Department of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a Government organisation employing more than 3,000 staff all around the country and in cities across the globe including Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Brussels, Geneva, London, Moscow, Paris, Rome and Washington. Its mission is to serve the Government and people of Ireland by leading, developing and regulating the agri-food sector, protecting public health and optimising social, economic and environmental benefits The Department supports and values its staff and is committed to their ongoing development.

Dundalk Institute of Technology

Founded in 1970, Dundalk IT is the leading higher education provider in the northeast of Ireland, with more than 4,500 students attending the college. DkIT provides high-quality programmes in agriculture and food at undergraduate and postgraduate level in collaboration with Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Cavan. DkIT has a strong research profile in a number of strategically important areas and has established close relationships with local industry.

Farm Solutions Ltd

Farm Solutions is part of a Wexford-based co-operative-owned business that has been in operation since 1977. It provides staff mainly to dairy farms but also into pig, poultry, beef and tillage farms. On the dairy side, the staff it provides varies from junior milkers to senior herd managers. It covers Ireland and the UK. Its regional managers are based locally to its clients and visit their farms to gain a greater understanding of their operation and what the farms need in terms of staff.

FRS Network

FRS Network is a co-operative organisation established in 1980 for the provision of skilled people and services to meet customer requirements. Through growth, diversification and innovation, FRS has expanded into distinct divisions intrinsically linked through the supply of expertly skilled people – farm relief services, fencing, recruitment, training and herdwatch – with a network of 20 offices nationwide and 20,000 customers. FRS Network’s HQ is in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and the CEO is Peter Byrne. FRS Network employs 2,000 people.

FRS Recruitment

FRS Recruitment is Ireland’s national recruitment agency, delivering specialist recruitment services through its 10 offices nationwide to all industry sectors including the agri sector. At the Agri Careers Fair, FRS Recruitment will be recruiting on behalf of its agribusiness clients – mainly for graduates and those seeking careers in agri-business as well as offering overseas farm work opportunities in the Middle East. FRS Recruitment is proudly part of FRS Network, which includes FRS Farm Relief Services, FRS Fencing, FRS Training and Herdwatch. General manager is Colin Donnery.

Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA)

The FTMTA is the representative body of the Irish farm machinery industry. The association’s membership compromises approximately 200 businesses engaged in the manufacture, import, distribution, retail and servicing of farm machinery. The industry employs about 4,500 people and generates an annual domestic turnover of over €500m as well as substantial export earnings. FTMTA works to promote the highest standards of professionalism in a high-quality and viable farm machinery industry that can meet the evolving farm mechanisation requirements of progressive Irish farming businesses.

Fyffes

Fyffes has operations in Europe, the US, Central and South America and China. Its primary activities are the production, procurement, shipping, ripening, distribution and marketing of bananas, pineapples and melons. The Fyffes Graduate Management Programme will see selected students being offered a two-year work placement, which includes first-hand experience working on one the farms in Central America. Upon the successful completion of the programme, it is planned that graduates will be offered permanent positions working with Fyffes in a choice of global locations.

Glanbia

Glanbia plc is a global nutrition company, grounded in nature and science dedicated to providing better nutrition for every step of life’s journey. Glanbia actively serves the nutritional needs of consumers directly through a range of branded products and as an ingredient partner to the wider food industry. With total group turnover of almost €3.7bn per annum, more than 6,000 employees and a presence in 32 countries worldwide, Glanbia’s vision is to be one of the world’s top-performing nutrition companies, trusted to enrich lives every day.

GMIT

GMIT Galway campus and Mountbellew Agricultural College collaborate in the provision of degree programmes providing a solid business/science education combined with agriculture and environmental management. GMIT has a vibrant community of more than 6,700 students. For students interested in studying an agricultural-related course, the college offers the following Level 8 courses: Agriculture and Environmental Management, Rural Enterprise and Agri Business and Rural Enterprise and Environmental Management. GMIT also runs the following Level 7 courses: Agriculture and Environmental Management and Rural Enterprise and AgriBusiness.

Grassland Agro

Grassland Agro was created in 2013 as a joint venture of Freshgrass Group’s – Grassland Fertilizers business and Groupe Roullier’s Timac Agro Ireland business. Grassland Agro has three industrial fertiliser plants in Limerick, Cork and Slane and a head office in Dublin. Grassland Agro sources, produces and sells the complete range of conventional fertilisers as well as the most comprehensive range of enhanced fertiliser and soil conditioning products. Grassland Agro also sells crop biostimulants, animal mineral blocks and HYPRED dairy hygiene products. There are currently vacancies for Technical Sales positions in Grassland Agro.

Harper Adams

Harper Adams’ attractive rural location in the heart of England provides the best of town and country. With a reputation for excellence and innovation, the Shropshire campus offers state-of-the-art facilities and rewarding courses for undergraduate, postgraduate and lifelong learners in agriculture, agribusiness, animal, engineering, food, rural and land-based studies. Harper Adams was established in 1901. It won the 2017 title of Modern University of Year in The Times Good University Guide along with 2016 University of the Year by Whatuni.

Horse Racing Ireland

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is the national authority responsible for the overall administration, development and promotion of racing in Ireland. Its core objective is to position Ireland as a world centre of excellence for horse racing and breeding. Under its remit by the Irish Government, it also has control of three subsidiaries – HRI Racecourse Ltd, Tote Ireland Ltd and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Ltd. Horse Racing Ireland was established in 2001 and its headquarters is at The Curragh. The CEO of Horse Racing Ireland is Brian Kavanagh.

ICBF

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is a non-profit organisation charged with providing cattle breeding information services to the Irish dairy and beef industries. ICBF exists to benefit our farmers, our agri-food industry and our wider communities through genetic gain. ICBF does this by the application of science and technology to ensure that our farmers and industry make the most profitable and sustainable decisions, through the use of the services provided from the ICBF cattle breeding database. Genetic improvement comes about when the parents of the next generation are genetically superior to their contemporaries.

IFAC

IFAC is the largest agribusiness accountancy practice in the country and the 10th largest accountancy practice in Ireland with over 17,000 clients. IFAC offers a wide range of services to farmers and agri-related businesses around the country, such as recording services, management reports, financial advice and consultancy services which are tailored to the needs of each individual/business. IFAC took on 20 people in 2016 and hopes to employ 30 more in the coming year. These positions varied from accountants and trainee accountants to HR and IT personnel. IFAC has 26 offices nationwide.

Innopharma College of Applied Sciences

Innopharma College of Applied Sciences is an award-winning premier education and technology institute for industry-led education in the pharmaceutical, med tech and food industries. It delivers world-recognised qualifications up to master’s degree level. All its education programmes are developed with students’ career advancement in mind, consisting of a unique blend of industry-focused modules and practical workshops. Many of its lecturers have extensive experience in industry and engage in a high level of coaching and mentoring with students.

Irish Country Meats

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is one of Europe’s leading lamb processors. Servicing 30 markets worldwide, it works closely with its customers to deliver expert end-to-end service. With headquarters and main production facilities in Camolin, Co Wexford, ICM has a further processing facility in Navan, Co Meath, as well as a European distribution hub through its Belgian subsidiary, A Lonhienne. Irish Country Meats wishes to meet ambitious talented individuals looking for a challenging career path in the agri food sector in Ireland or Belgium.

IT Carlow

Now well into the first year of its degree programme, IT Carlow’s Wexford Campus will be on Stand No 35 to provide information on the Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness degree. Delivered in the Wexford Campus, these Level 7 and 8 degrees offer students the opportunity to develop their scientific and agribusiness skillset. Students taking this unique degree course will learn in the classroom, the lab and the field, giving an excellent balance between the academic and practical skills essential for modern day agriculture.

Irish Farmers Journal

The Irish Farmers Journal is Ireland’s leading farming media brand both in print and digitally. The Irish Farmers Journal is published by The Agricultural Trust (which is a company limited by guarantee). All profits are invested in meeting the Trust’s objectives - to enhance the competitiveness of Irish farming and the well-being of those engaged in the sector. In 2017, the business will continue to resource in line with the growth of our audience and the Irish Farmers Journal’s range of services.

Irish Farriery Authority

The Irish School of Farriery, located at the RACE Campus on the outskirts of Kildare town, is a provider of world class training in farriery. Its four-year farriery apprenticeship course in Advanced Certificate Craft of Farriery has been developed in association with SOLAS provides candidates with first-hand experience of working with a master farrier and results in a QQI-accredited Level 6 award. Apprentices receive practical skills in forging, welding, horseshoeing and horse management while also learning equine anatomy and physiology and business skills.

IT Sligo

IT Sligo is home to 6,000 students across the institute’s full-time, part-time and apprenticeship programmes. IT Sligo is also a fiercely ambitious third-level institution. Working towards re-designation as a Technological University, a €60m investment in campus facilities over the last decade has created a stunning 21st century learning environment. Across the Institute’s three schools of Learning in Science, Business & Social Sciences and Engineering & Design, IT Sligo is constantly developing and enhancing its courses and facilities.

IT Tralee

IT Tralee was established in 1977 and currently has 3,500 students attending the college. IT Tralee offers students a choice of more than 41 courses, ranging from business and computing to biological science and nursing. Programmes are offered at higher certificate, degree, honours degree and at postgraduate level. The School of STEM is based at the South Campus and offers courses in agricultural science and agricultural engineering to honours degree level.

KEENAN

Established in 1978, Keenan is a respected leader in ethical and profitable farming solutions, focused on maximising feed efficiency. Over the course of nearly four decades in business, Keenan has earned a particularly strong reputation for manufacturing quality mixer wagons. Keenan interprets data for more than 1,000,000 cows from close to 10,000 farms in 25 countries around the world, representing one of the world’s largest field databases on dairy feed efficiency. Based in Borris, Co Carlow, Keenan employs 204 people (169 in Ireland).

Kepak

Kepak Group, which was established in 1981 and has its headquarters in Clonee, Co Meath, is one of Europe’s leading food innovators which processes and markets a full range of meat proteins in varied formats and presentations. The Group is made up of three strategic business units: Kepak Meat Group, Kepak Convenience Foods and Kepak Frozen Division. Kepak employs approximately 2,700 people and has a presence in 43 countries globally, with manufacturing sites across Ireland and also the UK.

Liffey Meats

Liffey Meats is one of Ireland’s most modern and progressive beef processors. Situated in the centre of Ireland’s finest grasslands, the company has built up a formidable supplier base from quality-assured farms, which guarantee complete traceability and excellent beef. Liffey Meats prides itself on being able to respond quickly and efficiently to customer’s needs, offering everything from vacuum-packed primals to a range of reformed, portion-controlled and pre-packed products to meet consumer/retail and food service requirements. Liffey Meats was established in 1905 and the headquarters is in Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan.

Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson is a worldwide brand of AGCO and boasts a full range of premium machinery from tractors and harvesting equipment to grass kit and materials handling. Within the UK and Ireland, AGCO/Massey Ferguson employs more than 400 personnel. Ireland’s dealer network consists of more than 25 dealer depots and Massey Ferguson enjoys a market share of around 22%. In certain counties, dealer market share is in excess of 37%. Massey Ferguson has a very successful technical apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Warwickshire College as well as a full range of career opportunities through its NVQ driven apprenticeship programme.

McHale

Over the last 30 years, McHale have developed a range of specialist farm machinery focusing high output balers and bale wrappers. Over 90% of McHale products are exported and products can be seen working in 55 countries around the world. At its headquarters in Mayo over 10% of the staff are employed in Research in Development. In 2016, McHale filled 40 roles. These positions ranged from welders and fitters on the factory floor to mechanical, electronic and software engineers in research and development.

MSD

MSD Animal Health offers animal health professionals, farmers, pet owners and governments the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. The company is dedicated to preserving the health, well-being and performance of animals. MSD Animal Health have offices in more than 50 countries around the world and sell their products in over 140 markets. The Irish head office is in Leopardstown in Dublin. MSD employs 30 people in its Irish office.

open eir

open eir is the wholesale and networks division of eir. It provides open access to eir’s nationwide network, products and technical expertise. It currently enables over 50 Service Providers to provide Irish homes and businesses with voice, broadband, data and international communication services using eir’s nationwide network. eir has invested €1.5bn in the past four years including €400m rolling out high speed broadband to 1.6m premises across Ireland. The company has committed a further €200m to extend that footprint to 80% of the homes and businesses in Ireland.

Ornua

Ornua is an agri-food commercial co-op which markets and sells dairy products on behalf of its members – Irish dairy farmers and processors. Ornua is responsible for over 60% of Ireland’s dairy exports to over 100 countries, with annual sales of +€1.75bn. Some of Ornua’s brands include Kerrygold, Dubliner Cheese, Beo and Pilgrims Choice, with pre-packing and blending facilities in Africa, China, Germany, Ireland, the Middle East, Spain,the UK and the US. Ornua develops bespoke food ingredient solutions for many of the world’s leading food manufacturers.

QQI

Quality and Qualifications Ireland is an independent State agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training in Ireland. Its role is to: promote, maintain and develop the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), approve programmes offered at a variety of schools, colleges and further and higher education and training institutions, regulate and promote the quality of programmes offered by providers leading to qualifications on the NFQ and provide academic advice on the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland through NARIC Ireland, and provide advice on the recognition of Irish qualifications.

SAP Landscapes

SAP Landscapes are Ireland’s largest landscape and grounds maintenance contractor. The Landscapes division was established in 1976, and last year celebrated its 40th year in business. SAP Landscapes employs over 150 people in Ireland, and now requires additional staff due to its continuous growth. SAP Landscapes identifies and nurtures high-potential employees by developing their skills and strengths. A career in landscaping or grounds maintenance attracts those who like to work outdoors and prefer a changeable working environment.

Slaney Foods International

Slaney Foods International, The Beef Specialists, was established in 1970. Located in the heart of the Slaney Valley, we pride ourselves on our reputation for sourcing and producing the highest-quality Irish beef. At Slaney Foods International we offer graduates a challenging career path which demands innovation and personal leadership. Slaney Foods is committed to training and retaining talent. It is our desire that each participant will become a full-time permanent employee and build their career within the company in manufacturing engineering, sales, quality and farm supply chain relationship.

Teagasc

Teagasc is the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland. Its mission is to support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and the broader bioeconomy that will underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability. The main responsibility of Teagasc is to provide integrated research, advisory and education services to the agricultural and food industry and rural communities. Teagasc was established in 1988. Teagasc headquarters is in Oak Park in Carlow, while the organisation has an additional 55 local offices and research centres throughout Ireland.

The Irish Field

The Irish Field was established in 1870 and is Ireland’s only newspaper dedicated to racing and equestrian sports. The paper is published every Saturday and is a must-read for all equine fans. The Irish Field covers all thing equine, from latest racing, breeding and sport horse news to reports and results from the point-to-point scene. The Irish Field is part of the Agricultural Trust, which also publishes the Irish Farmers Journal, Irish Country Magazine and Irish Country Living. Mark Costello is the editorial manager.

Thames Farming Group

Thames Farming Group is an international farming company that has invested in an attractive portfolio of farms globally. It owns and operates 12 properties in total: two cattle stations in the Northern Territory, Australia; four dairy farms in Southland, New Zealand; four dairy farms in Southern Chile; an arable farming business producing cereals and oilseeds in Calarasi County, South East Romania; and an arable farming business in the Pomorskie region of Poland growing cereals oilseed and potatoes.

UCD

For anyone thinking of a career in agriculture, food science or human nutrition, a visit to the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science stand is a must. The school focuses on the four areas of production agriculture, agribusiness and rural development, environment and sustainable resource management, and food science and nutrition as the core elements of its agriculture and food science programmes. Find out about the range of degree and post-graduate programmes offered by the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, as well as putting your questions to our team.

Agri Careers 2017 will take place on Thursday 30 March 2017 in the RDS Main Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, brought to you by Irish Farmers Journal and open eir. Click here for more information.

Click here to register for Agri Careers 2017