Brian McDonnell

Brian McDonnell Profile Picture

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.

Milking routine: Are there areas to improve on?
Milking routine: Are there areas to improve on?

The milking routine on dairy farms is a process that must be done correctly, as mistakes made can result in...

Dairy advice: Complete an early milk recording
Dairy advice: Complete an early milk recording

The importance of milk recording is not lost on many dairy farms, but there are still a large number of...

Willofarm dispersal sale brings top price of 2,700gns
Willofarm dispersal sale brings top price of 2,700gns

Taaffe auctions conducted the dispersal sale of the Willofarm herd for the Throne family, in Dungannon Mart on Thursday January...

Dairy advice: Have you reviewed your herd health plan?
Dairy advice: Have you reviewed your herd health plan?

With calving due to get underway on dairy farms in the coming days, one thing that should be put in...

The importance of a clean calf shed during rearing period
The importance of a clean calf shed during rearing period

The cleaning out of a calf shed is vital in order to maintain growth performance and health in your calves...

Improving colostrum quality this calving season
Improving colostrum quality this calving season

Ensuring that colostrum quality is high among your cows before the start of calving should be a focus on dairy...

Dairy advice: Stomach tubing calves
Dairy advice: Stomach tubing calves

Stomach tubing calves is the preferred option for many farmers when feeding calves colostrum shortly after birth. A calves first...

Dairy advice: Fundamentals of calf rumen development
Dairy advice: Fundamentals of calf rumen development

Rumen development is a vital part of the development of young calves, and should begin from day one. Young calves...

Spring calving: Time to get ready for calves
Spring calving: Time to get ready for calves

Calves will be arriving on farms in the coming weeks, meaning it is now time to ensure that you are...

Spring-calving: Ensuring that safety is at the forefront
Spring-calving: Ensuring that safety is at the forefront

The start of the new year means that the spring-calving season is now only a few weeks away from starting...

Dairy advice: Easing the Christmas day workload
Dairy advice: Easing the Christmas day workload

Christmas day for a farmer still requires the wellies to be put on and jobs being completed, as livestock must...

Time for parlour training to begin on your farm
Time for parlour training to begin on your farm

The parlour training of your in-calf heifers, is a job that can begin over the coming days and weeks on...

Dairy advice: Preparing for adverse weather conditions on farm
Dairy advice: Preparing for adverse weather conditions on farm

Colder night-time and daytime temperatures are starting to set in, with the country already experiencing freezing weather conditions. Colder conditions...

How the use of brisket boards prevents mastitis
How the use of brisket boards prevents mastitis

Dirty cubicles could be a sign that the brisket boards within your cubicle shed are incorrectly positioned. During the housed...

Drying-off: Maintaining standards for final cows
Drying-off: Maintaining standards for final cows

The drying-off of cows is ongoing on farms, with many farms now approaching the final few cows that are still...

Dairy advice: Grouping cows this winter
Dairy advice: Grouping cows this winter

Grouping cows when housed this winter, will allow for better management and ensure that they are in the correct body...

Dairy advice: Drier conditions see a return to grazing for some
Dairy advice: Drier conditions see a return to grazing for some

Although cows on many farms cows will not see grass again until spring, in some areas grazing has resumed. The...

Dairy advice: Manging heifer calves during winter months
Dairy advice: Manging heifer calves during winter months

Continued monitoring of your heifer calves is vital to ensure that growth targets are achieved ahead of breeding next year....