Brian McDonnell

Brian McDonnell Profile Picture

Technical Dairy Specialist

Brian McDonnell is from Raheny, Co. Dublin. He has an honours degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Dundalk IT. He has worked on dairy and beef farms in both Ireland and the UK, including Teagasc Grange and a large-scale 650-cow dairy farm which also had a 1,200 animal youngstock-rearing farm in Scotland. He has a keen interest in agriculture and particularly the dairy sector and in his spare time is active in local rugby and golf.

Preparing the stock bull for breeding season

N.Ireland

Preparing the stock bull for breeding season

Breeding season is fast approaching, and although the use of artificial insemination (AI) grows year-on-year, stock bulls still have a...
Lameness issues need to be a focus as breeding approaches

Dairy

Lameness issues need to be a focus as breeding approaches

Cows on the vast majority of farms have spent much longer in the shed than was expected by most, which...
Does a synchronisation programme have a place on your farm?

Dairy

Does a synchronisation programme have a place on your farm?

The use of a synchronisation programme may be a good option for dairy farmers this breeding season. A programme can...
Does a synchronisation programme have a place on your farm?

Dairy

Does a synchronisation programme have a place on your farm?

The use of a synchronisation programme may be a good option for dairy farmers this breeding season. A programme can...
Important to maintain intakes as breeding season approaches

N.Ireland

Important to maintain intakes as breeding season approaches

The breeding season is fast approaching and getting cows grazing continues to be a significant challenge on dairy farms. On...
Breeding: Time to start preparation for 2024 season

Dairy

Breeding: Time to start preparation for 2024 season

As the breeding season approaches on farms, it is important that you begin preparations and ensure that everything is ready...
Breeding season: What is the potential impact of a retained placenta?

Dairy

Breeding season: What is the potential impact of a retained placenta?

On farms where calving begins in mid-January, there will now be calves between nine and 10-weeks-of-age, and it may be...
Time to begin planning for the weaning of calves

Dairy

Time to begin planning for the weaning of calves

On farms where calving begins in mid-January, there will now be calves between nine and 10-weeks-of-age, and it may be...
Challenge with grazing continues across the country

N.Ireland

Challenge with grazing continues across the country

Grazing remains a challenge on the vast majority of farms, with further rainfall experienced in most parts of the country...
The importance of energy demand in cows being met

Dairy

The importance of energy demand in cows being met

Ensuring that cows are getting adequate amounts of dry matter (DM) and energy is now a challenge on many farms....
Johne’s disease: What is it and what are the signs?

Dairy

Johne’s disease: What is it and what are the signs?

Johne’s disease, also known as paratuberculosis, is a bacterial disease of cattle and other ruminants for which there is no...
Dairy advice: Risk of scour and pneumonia cases grows

Dairy

Dairy advice: Risk of scour and pneumonia cases grows

Calf sheds on many farms now full and the bacterial load inside them is quite high, which means that calves...
Why being selective when breeding is important

Dairy

Why being selective when breeding is important

Panning for the breeding season is underway on many dairy farms as we move through the month of March and...
Grazing recommences on some farms this week

N.Ireland

Grazing recommences on some farms this week

Grazing remains impossible in some areas, while in other areas, although challenging, cows are now returning to grass. Many dairy...
Walnutlawn Sidekick daughter claims top prize at UK Dairy Expo

Dairy

Walnutlawn Sidekick daughter claims top prize at UK Dairy Expo

The Borderway UK Dairy Expo returned on Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16 with the interbreed champion going to MAG...
Breeding season: Potential problem cows should be checked

Dairy

Breeding season: Potential problem cows should be checked

The calving season continues on most dairy farms, but it is important to start preparing for the breeding season. Depending...
Is it time to prepare silage ground for the first cut?

Dairy

Is it time to prepare silage ground for the first cut?

Although there are still many cows in the shed, and grazing has not fully taken off yet, it’s now time...
Identifying paddocks suitable for clover establishment

Dairy

Identifying paddocks suitable for clover establishment

The importance of the role of the legume plant known as the clover, is growing on Irish farms. Legal requirements...
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