Alan O'Connor

Alan O

Alan is from a farming background in Co. Meath. He has recently completed a ruminant nutrition PhD researching protein metabolism in grass-fed beef cattle, having previously studied Animal Science in UCD. He has a particular interest in the dairy, beef and sheep sectors.

How can pre-calving management and assistance effect dairy calf mortality?

Dairy

How can pre-calving management and assistance effect dairy calf mortality?

Calving is one of the busiest times of the year on Irish farms and can be stressful for dairy farmers....
Carcass weight and conformation need to be improved in dairy-beef calves

Beef

Carcass weight and conformation need to be improved in dairy-beef calves

The Gene Ireland Dairy Beef Programme selects suitable bulls for progeny testing on dairy cows. Ciaran Costello – from the...
‘Breeding and grass are the pieces of the jigsaw for sustainable dairy farming’

Dairy

‘Breeding and grass are the pieces of the jigsaw for sustainable dairy farming’

Breeding and grass are the pieces of the jigsaw for a successful, highly-profitable dairy farm, according to dairy farmer Denis...
Sheep focus: Data recording driving flock performance in Co. Limerick

Sheep

Sheep focus: Data recording driving flock performance in Co. Limerick

Since joining Sheep Ireland as a full performance recording flock, the performance of the flock in Salesian Agricultural College at...
‘Dairy farmers are eroding their profits for the pleasure of producing extra milk’

Dairy

‘Dairy farmers are eroding their profits for the pleasure of producing extra milk’

Speaking at the Irish Grassland Association’s (IGA) Dairy Conference on January 9 in Co. Cork, John Roche from Down to...
Dairy focus: Gearing up to calve a 300-cow herd in Co. Limerick

Dairy

Dairy focus: Gearing up to calve a 300-cow herd in Co. Limerick

Situated near the River Shannon, Salesian Agricultural College at Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, occupies 500ac and offers a wide range of practical...
What are the 7 key characteristics of a highly-profitable dairy farmer?

Dairy

What are the 7 key characteristics of a highly-profitable dairy farmer?

The expansion of the national dairy herd has paved the way for dairy farmers to increase their margins in recent...
Sheep trade: Factory lamb quotes continue to edge upwards

Sheep

Sheep trade: Factory lamb quotes continue to edge upwards

Factory quotes for lambs continue to edge upwards again this week, with many processors increasing their offerings by 5-10c/kg compared...
Cattle marts: Quiet start as the first sales of 2019 take place

Beef

Cattle marts: Quiet start as the first sales of 2019 take place

Last week was quiet on the mart trade front as most cattle sales around the country have not yet resumed...
Fertiliser: Start planning now for best silage results

Grass

Fertiliser: Start planning now for best silage results

The prohibited period for applying chemical and organic fertilisers – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K) – is...
Higher lamb growth rate and less worms when grazing multi-species swards

Sheep

Higher lamb growth rate and less worms when grazing multi-species swards

A study carried at UCD (University College Dublin) Lyons Farm during 2015 and 2016 showed that lambs produced from multi-species...
How much concentrates should I feed with my silage? 

Sheep

How much concentrates should I feed with my silage? 

When harvested at the correct growth stage, grass silage can be a low-cost, high-quality feed for pregnant ewes. In order...
Mart trade: Fewer lots but good demand at last of 2018 sales

Beef

Mart trade: Fewer lots but good demand at last of 2018 sales

Naturally, most cattle marts across the country held the last sale of 2018 in advance of the Christmas period. Many...
Sheep trade: 2019 lamb quotes off to a decent start

Sheep

Sheep trade: 2019 lamb quotes off to a decent start

The first week of 2019 will see factory quotes for lamb trending upwards, albeit slightly, compared to pre-Christmas figures. Many...
Co. Cork dairy farmer to speak at the 2019 IGA conference

Dairy

Co. Cork dairy farmer to speak at the 2019 IGA conference

The annual Irish Grassland Association (IGA) National Dairy Conference, sponsored by Yara, takes place on Wednesday January 9, 2019 at...
‘Kerry has grown outside of dairy, but dairy is our heritage’

Agri-Business

‘Kerry has grown outside of dairy, but dairy is our heritage’

AgriLand recently visited Kerry’s Global Technology and Innovation Centre in Naas, Co. Kildare for an exclusive tour of the facility. Speaking...
Reminder: Time to count your sheep for the 2018 census

Sheep

Reminder: Time to count your sheep for the 2018 census

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) some 45,000 registered sheep and goat keepers received their...
Finishing suckler-bred male cattle off grass: What were the results?

Beef

Finishing suckler-bred male cattle off grass: What were the results?

The BullBeef research project carried out at Teagasc, Grange, Co. Meath has investigated pasture-based production systems for suckler-bred male cattle...