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.

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

Well-fed calves a strong trade at Enniscorthy Mart
Well-fed calves a strong trade at Enniscorthy Mart

Enniscorthy Mart held its weekly calf sale on Wednesday (March 20), with 863 calves on offer at the model county-based...

Why being selective when breeding is important
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...

Dairy calf registrations surpass 980,000 head
Dairy calf registrations surpass 980,000 head

The total number of calf registrations to dairy dams has reached 982,981, with total registrations reaching 1,134,940. The data from...

Grazing recommences on some farms this week
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
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...

Farmers reminded of legal requirement when disbudding calves
Farmers reminded of legal requirement when disbudding calves

The disbudding of calves is taking place on many farms, but farmers are reminded that thermal cauterisation is the only...

Breeding season: Potential problem cows should be checked
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?
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...

New series to focus on achieving a successful breeding strategy
New series to focus on achieving a successful breeding strategy

Agriland will host a new series over the coming weeks which will focus on achieving a successful breeding strategy. The...

Identifying paddocks suitable for clover establishment
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...

Developing a breeding plan for your herd in 2024
Developing a breeding plan for your herd in 2024

Planning for the breeding season is now underway on many dairy farms, meaning it is now time to determine how...

Calf registrations: 1 million mark reached for 2024
Calf registrations: 1 million mark reached for 2024

The total number of calf registrations up until March 15, 2024 has reached 1,015,238 head, based on data from the...

Keeping milk fever at bay in later calving cows
Keeping milk fever at bay in later calving cows

As we progress further into March, the calving season continues, with the risk of milk fever within cows likely to...

In pictures: The 150th Taaffe auctions Carnaross dairy sale
In pictures: The 150th Taaffe auctions Carnaross dairy sale

The 150th Taaffe Auctions Carnaross dairy sale took place on Wednesday, March 13 – with 153 milking lots on offer...

Wet conditions continue to hamper grazing across the country
Wet conditions continue to hamper grazing across the country

With St. Patrick’s Day approaching and further rainfalls in recent days, grazing continues to be a challenge on the majority...

Emerald Expo to return to Cavan with prize fund on offer
Emerald Expo to return to Cavan with prize fund on offer

Now in its 12th year, the Emerald Expo returns to the Virginia Show Centre in Co. Cavan on Saturday, April...