Dr Ewen Mullins has been appointed as the head of the crop science department, which is based in Oak Park, Co Carlow.
Mullins qualified with a BSc (Hons) from the National University of Maynooth and began his early career working in the United States, working in the Department of Plant Pathology in Pennsylvania State University and in the US Department of Agriculture horticulture research lab in Orlando, Florida.
Our outputs must deliver evidence-based solutions that reduce productivity costs
He has a PhD in plant pathology from the University College Cork.
“Improving the competitiveness of our tillage sector is now critical,” Dr Mullins said.
“Ireland’s increasingly erratic climate, EU legislative changes on the use of plant protection products, plus continued dairy expansion are collectively eroding the tillage sector’s sustainability.”
“Strategically, our outputs must deliver evidence-based solutions that reduce productivity costs, develop novel rotational options, and future-proof our cropping systems against biotic/abiotic stresses.”
Dr Mullins is also a member of various international research bodies, a point that was highlighted by John Spink, head of Teagasc crops, environment and land use programme.
“His leadership of national and international collaborative research projects provides a platform for Teagasc to access the most up-to-date scientific knowledge for the benefit of Irish tillage growers,” Spink said.
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