The Dealer fondly remembers the days when Fergal Morris and Seamus Maguire were the contact points for MSD Animal Health Ireland.

However, from acorns, grow oak trees. Fergal took over the role of general manager of MSD Animal Health Ireland from Seamus when he retired in 2017.

In 2020, MSD Animal Health reportedly paid out over €45m to Elanco for Vecoxan, the coccidiosis treatment product.

However, some of the other more recent investments see a move away from medicines and vaccines.

Just last year, MSD Animal Health acquired Identigen – the DNA traceback company founded in Trinity College for an undisclosed amount.

In 2019, MSD Animal Health acquired Antelliq Corporation allowing MSD a piece of the growing animal monitoring and identification game with the brand Allflex Ireland or “fitbits for cow” as my mother calls them.

Westmeath footballer John Heslin recently took up the role as market access and marketing manager for the Allflex wing.

Wexford hurler Jack O’Connor recently took up the role of ruminant marketing manager and Cavan’s Emma Gilsenan joins the MSD team as ruminant product manager.

MSD is well-known as the largest supplier of animal medicines on the Irish market but there is much more than animal medicine in the locker now.