The theme of this year’s event is “Keeping pace with global food trends”.

The event features a number of well-known panellists and speakers:

  • Cork native Jerry O’Callaghan from Sao Paulo, Brazil where he is director of investor relations with JBS, the world’s largest meat company – sales of €33bn last year and a workforce of 185,000 across five continents.

  • Juergen Voegele from Washington where he is head of agriculture and rural development with the World Bank.

  • Siobhan Talbot, chief executive Glanbia plc.

  • Thomas Trimble from Almarai, the giant, vertically integrated dairy company in Saudi Arabia.

  • Professor Mark Ferguson, director general Science Foundation Ireland and chief scientific adviser to the Government.

  • Niall Browne, chief executive Dawn Meats.

    • ASA President Seán O’Farrell says: “The emphasis will be on expertly moderated, lively discussion and maximum delegate participation, ensuring optimum value from the vast range of expertise.”

    The ASA, which has 1,400 members, is the professional body for graduates in agricultural, horticultural, forestry, environmental and food science.