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.

Dairy advice: Organising the final milk recording

Dairy Technical

Dairy advice: Organising the final milk recording

Ahead of drying-off taking place on farms you should be booking or planning in your final milk recording for the...
Autumn-calving: Dealing with scour in calves

Dairy Technical

Autumn-calving: Dealing with scour in calves

Calving is underway on autumn-calving or winter milk herds and as a consequence, there will be issues with calf health...
Dreams surpassed at AXA National Dairy Show

Dairy Technical

Dreams surpassed at AXA National Dairy Show

The dust has now settled on the 41st AXA National Dairy Show from the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet Co....
Dairy advice: Managing replacement heifers at housing

Dairy Technical

Dairy advice: Managing replacement heifers at housing

Good management of replacement heifers at housing is vital to ensure that they continue to develop and that growth targets...
Autumn calving: Managing negative energy balance in cows

Dairy Technical

Autumn calving: Managing negative energy balance in cows

Managing negative energy balance (NEB) in cows is vital to ensuring that they go on to have a successful lactation....
Eedy Holsteins claim AXA National Dairy Show title

Dairy News

Eedy Holsteins claim AXA National Dairy Show title

Eedy Doorman Fame has claimed the supreme champion title this afternoon (Saturday, October 14) at the 2023 AXA National Dairy...
Autumn calving: Calf management vital for success

Dairy Technical

Autumn calving: Calf management vital for success

The autumn-calving period is underway and ensuring that calves get off to the best start in life is vital to...
Screening for Johne’s disease in dairy herds

Dairy Technical

Screening for Johne’s disease in dairy herds

Johne’s disease is something that many dairy farmers haven’t had to deal with, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t present...
Grass growth: Grazing conditions the biggest issue on farms

Dairy Technical

Grass growth: Grazing conditions the biggest issue on farms

Grass growth rates in the tail end of the year have been fairly good, with the issue for many mostly...
AXA National Dairy Show: Results from day one

Dairy News

AXA National Dairy Show: Results from day one

The AXA National Dairy Show is back with day one of the show taking place today (Friday, October 13) at...
Watch: IHFA focus farms highlight strength of pedigree breeding

Dairy News

Watch: IHFA focus farms highlight strength of pedigree breeding

The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) recently showcased a number of farm systems at an event on the farm of...
Housed period: Time to complete final preparations

Dairy Technical

Housed period: Time to complete final preparations

On some farms the housed period has already begun, but for others cows are still grazing and will hopefully be...
October grazing advice for tricky ground conditions

Dairy Technical

October grazing advice for tricky ground conditions

When it comes to an Irish grass-based dairy system, October is one of the most important months of the year....
Preventing lameness during the housed period

Dairy Technical

Preventing lameness during the housed period

Lameness is an issue that has to be dealt with on every dairy farm. Not only does it lead to...
Management of spring-calving cows in final stages of lactation

Dairy Technical

Management of spring-calving cows in final stages of lactation

Spring-calving cows are now entering the final months of their lactation and are in the process of winding down production....
Scour control on farms this autumn

Dairy Technical

Scour control on farms this autumn

For dairy farms that will be producing milk over the winter months a focus is now being placed on preventing...
Importance of maintaining milk quality as cows enter sheds

Dairy Technical

Importance of maintaining milk quality as cows enter sheds

Maintaining high standards of milk quality is important, but when cows enter the shed and are milked off cubicles this...
Live demos of UTVs to feature at National Dairy Show

Dairy News

Live demos of UTVs to feature at National Dairy Show

The machinery demonstrations at this year’s National Dairy Show will feature utility terrain vehicles (UTV’s). Machinery demonstrations have long been...