The board of Dairy Research Ireland (DRI) has announced the appointment of Mary Delaney as its new chair, succeeding Jim Beecher who held the position since 2010.

Dairy Research Ireland, also known as the Dairy Research Trust, is responsible for managing the dairy research levy contributed by Irish dairy farmers.

This levy funds targeted, farmer-focused research aimed at improving sustainability, profitability and resilience on dairy farms.

The board oversees the strategic direction and funding of research programmes aligned with national and EU priorities, while ensuring that farmer needs are at the core of all activity.

Mary Delaney, who currently serves on the board of Bord Bia, is an agribusiness consultant and dairy farmer with over 20 years’ experience in Irish agriculture.

A former president of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA), she brings a strong mix of strategic industry insight and practical farming knowledge to the role.

Commenting on her new appointment, Mary said "Dairy Research Ireland plays a vital role in shaping the future of our sector by backing research that delivers real, practical benefits to farmers".

"As chair, I look forward to working with the board and our partners to ensure that the research we fund supports sustainable, profitable dairy farming — and helps Ireland remain a global leader in dairy," she added.

The board thanked outgoing chair Jim Beecher, former assistant secretary at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), for his 15 years of service and leadership.

The board said that "his experience, insights and strategic guidance were key in developing the organisation’s strong track record of impact and value for the dairy sector".