Leading researcher appointed to Massey dairy chair
Tuesday 1 November 2011, 6:25PM
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Massey University and DairyNZ have announced the appointment of a leading dairy researcher to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Chair in Dairy Production Systems.
Dr Danny Donaghy is currently working in Tasmania and will take up the position as professor in February. He will work closely with the dairy industry to help achieve its goals of improved profitability, sustainability and competitiveness.
He is currently the Dairy Centre leader at the University of Tasmania’s Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, where he has worked since 1998. His past work at the Institute includes roles as dairy research leader and research fellowships. Dr Donaghy has a PhD and a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from the University of New England in Armidale, New South Wales.
Working with industry has been an important part of Dr Donaghy’s role. As a member of Australia’s Dairy Moving Forward programme stakeholder group, he helped to align research, development and extension with industry strategy. Dr Donaghy is also a director on the DairyTas Board, the farmer-led regional development board for Dairy Australia in Tasmania.
Massey College of Sciences Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Anderson says Professor Donaghy has the knowledge, experience and leadership to further advance dairy production systems research and education in New Zealand.
“Dairying is a major contributor to New Zealand’s economy, and it is critical to the on-going success of the industry that researchers and educators work closely with industry,” Professor Anderson says. “Dr Donaghy is well respected in Australia for his work alongside the dairy industry, developing programmes to meet future needs. He will strengthen our team at Massey and its longstanding contribution to New Zealand dairying.”
The chief executive of Dairy NZ, the industry good organisation for New Zealand dairy farmers, Dr Tim Mackle, says it will be good to have someone with Dr Donaghy’s systems research capability at Massey.
“He’s got some big shoes to fill with taking the position previously held by Colin Holmes, and this appointment will enable us to build on the links at Dairy NZ, in the industry and with other universities for the benefit of dairying throughout the country. He will be able to work closely with our research teams as well as the other research groups that partner with us.”