Hailing from Co Monaghan, Delaney is currently head of equine at Glanbia Agribusiness, tasked with managing Gain Horse Feeds and has worked at the group for 11 years.

A graduate of Agribusiness and Rural Development from UCD, she completed a prestigious Nuffield scholarship in 2015 on the topic of the climate change challenge for the Irish dairy industry.

Speaking following the announcement, Mary said she takes up her new role with great pride, being an ag science graduate herself. “The agrifood industry is both exciting and rewarding and I believe that the ASA can play a crucial role in leading and developing sustainable Irish agriculture and food-related sectors.”

The ASA held its annual conference in Co Kilkenny last week, with speakers including Hillary Clinton’s former adviser, Jack A Bobo, chief economist with the US Department of Agriculture, Dr Robert Johansson, and Bill Callanan, chief inspector with the Irish Department of Agriculture.

The ASA represents graduates in the fields of horticulture, agriculture, food science, forestry and the environment and has around 1,600 Irish members.

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Mary Delaney appointed president of ASA

The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) has appointed Mary Delaney its third female president in 75 years.