The stage is set for the Agricultural Science Association's annual conference which starts with a banquet tonight in Lyrath Hotel, Co Kilkenny. Around 650 guests from across the agricultural industry and around the world are expected tonight.

"It's a unique opportunity to get people from all the different sub sectors under one roof for a positive evening to celebrate all that is good in Irish agriculture," ASA president Neil Keane told the Irish Farmers Journal.

The conference on Friday will feature a wide range of speakers including Hilary Clinton's former adviser.

"Personally I'm really interested in the human capital session, I think people is an important part of any industry," said Keane who will finish his term as ASA president at the AGM that will follow the conference. "Nicola McCracken is the head of talent development in one of the largest private employers in the country. She's going to do a presentation on how we retain, engage with and attract talent into the industry."

On reflection upon his year as president the Alltech commercial director said that the international study tour and working with recent graduates from agricultural science were the highlights for him.

Listen to an interview with Neil Keane below: