I see yet another scientist is leaving Teagasc to join the private sector. Dr Mary McEvoy is off to pastures new with the country’s largest grass seed company, Germinal Seeds. She will take a production manager role with the Tipperary-based outfit from 1 October.

Dr McEvoy leaves Moorepark after six years, where she specialised in grassland research. Germinal Seeds has been trading in Ireland for 32 years and employs 24 people. Recent high-profile departures from Teagasc include Prof Paul Ross and fertilizer guru Stan Lalor.