Dr Ryan Duffy has been appointed manager of Animal Health Ireland's (AHI) Cellcheck programme.

In this role, Duffy will lead and co-ordinate the national mastitis control programme, supporting continued improvements in udder health and milk quality across the Irish dairy sector.

A native of Co Monaghan, Duffy qualified as a veterinary surgeon from UCD in 2016.

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Over the last decade, he has worked in clinical practice in both Ireland and New Zealand.

He has also held a number of influential industry roles and completed post-graduate qualifications in dairy herd health, ruminant nutrition, milking machine technologies and veterinary education.

Duffy will take up his new role with AHI at the end of March 2026.

'Talented'

Commenting on the appointment, AHI CEO Patrick Donohoe said: “We’re very excited to see Ryan Duffy take up the role with AHI next month. Not only is he an incredibly talented vet, he is also an authority in herd health. Ryan has a wealth of experience and a proven track record with mastitis control."

The Cellcheck programme, Donoghue added, has been one of the most successful animal health programmes anywhere in the world over the past 15 years, delivering real and tangible benefits for farmers and the wider dairy industry.

"Milk quality and the longevity of cows are more important than ever and I know that working with the Cellcheck technical working group and implementation groups, as well as the wider industry, Ryan will be a success in the role," Donohoe said.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Ryan Duffy said that he is hugely excited to join AHI at this really important time for the organisation and the dairy industry as a whole.

"I strongly believe our dairy industry is the envy of the world and our continued success will be built on furthering our commitment to progressive herd health, preventative medicine and by implementing practical, evidence-based methods at mitigating bovine mastitis and its knock-on effects.

"This is no mean feat. It will involve the entire industry: from dairy farmers, agricultural advisers, milking machine technicians and my veterinary colleagues on the ground, to our dairy processors and government.

"However, it will ensure we remain competitive on the international stage and profitable at the farm level, allowing the Irish dairy sector to flourish in the 21st century," he said.