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.

Milk Price Tracker: Slight upward trend for February supplies

Dairy News

Milk Price Tracker: Slight upward trend for February supplies

The latest Milk Price Tracker – brought to you by Agriland and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) – details milk prices from the most...
Identify suitable areas and get grass in the diet – Patton

Dairy Technical

Identify suitable areas and get grass in the diet – Patton

Farmers should “try and get some grass into the diet” according to Donal Patton, research technologist with Teagasc based in...
Calf trade: Online trade very active for strong calves at Gortatlea

Dairy Technical

Calf trade: Online trade very active for strong calves at Gortatlea

After a somewhat slower start, the calf trade has very much taken off as it hits peak calf sales, with...
Breeding season: What is the potential impact of a retained placenta?

Dairy Technical

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

A retained placenta is not an uncommon occurrence during the calving season. Any cows that experience a retained placenta should...
Time to begin planning for the weaning of calves

Dairy Technical

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...
Does sexed semen have a place in every herd?

Dairy Technical

Does sexed semen have a place in every herd?

The use of sexed semen on Irish farms continues to grow, but is it for everyone or has it come...
Challenge with grazing continues across the country

Dairy Technical

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...
Dairy-beef: What are calf buyers looking for?

Dairy Technical

Dairy-beef: What are calf buyers looking for?

Based on the trade for dairy-beef calves across the country, it is evident that some changes have occurred. The introduction...
‘You cannot replace the feed quality of grazed grass’ – Dr. Patton

Dairy Technical

‘You cannot replace the feed quality of grazed grass’ – Dr. Patton

The feed quality of grazed grass cannot be bought, according to Dr. Joe Patton of Teagasc speaking at the breeding...
In pictures: IHFA Premier Bull and Heifer sales

Dairy Technical

In pictures: IHFA Premier Bull and Heifer sales

The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) held its 49th annual Premier Bull Show and Sale on Wednesday, March 27 at...
Breeding season: How are you paid for your milk?

Dairy Technical

Breeding season: How are you paid for your milk?

How Irish dairy farmers are paid for their milk has to be a major factor when selecting potential sires for...
Lepto vaccine available from next week

Dairy

Lepto vaccine available from next week

The Leptavoid-H vaccination for leptospirosis (Lepto) from MSD Animal Health will be back in stock with vets from next week,...
Breeding season: What criteria is being used to select sires?

Dairy Technical

Breeding season: What criteria is being used to select sires?

The breeding season is just around the corner and many farmers will have selected their sires or are in the...
Prices hit €4,800 at the IHFA Premier Bull sale

Dairy Technical

Prices hit €4,800 at the IHFA Premier Bull sale

The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) held it’s 49th annual show and sale today (Wednesday, March 27) at the Kilmallock...
Positive trend and outlook for calf trade in marts

Dairy Technical

Positive trend and outlook for calf trade in marts

The demand for strong, well-fed calves is continuing to grow, with the calf trade and sales in marts very much...
Farmers hit with €2,500 extra feed costs due to wet weather

Dairy News

Farmers hit with €2,500 extra feed costs due to wet weather

Farmers have been hit with additional feed costs of up to €2,500 based on a 130-cow herd because of ongoing...
New market for 5,000 pedigree heifers in North Africa

Dairy News

New market for 5,000 pedigree heifers in North Africa

A new market has been announced for up to 5,000 pedigree heifers in North Africa, thanks to a collaboration between...
The importance of energy demand in cows being met

Dairy Technical

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....