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.

Breeding objectives for winter milk farms

Dairy Technical

Breeding objectives for winter milk farms

Setting breeding objectives for liquid milk herds was a key message for farmers at the winter milk events held this...
Scour: Have you considered vaccinating your cows?

Dairy Technical

Scour: Have you considered vaccinating your cows?

With a focus of reducing antibiotic usage on farms going forward now, when spring-calving farms are starting the dry period,...
Liquid milk: ‘Don’t let higher yielders dictate the feeding’

Dairy Technical

Liquid milk: ‘Don’t let higher yielders dictate the feeding’

The cost of feeding liquid milk cows has had the most significant increase this year in autumn-calving herds. To help...
Breffni Oriel Holstein Friesian club celebrate 50 years

Dairy News

Breffni Oriel Holstein Friesian club celebrate 50 years

The Breffni Oriel Holstein Friesian club, established in 1972, marks its 50 years anniversary this year Breffni Oriel, which is...
Do you need to treat your cows for parasites?

Dairy Technical

Do you need to treat your cows for parasites?

The period after drying-off is a good time to treat cows for any potential parasites that may be affecting them....
Autumn calving: Maintaining hygiene standards

Dairy Technical

Autumn calving: Maintaining hygiene standards

The autumn-calving season is well underway on farms, with many farms moving into the twilight period. It is at this...
Ireland’s second sexed semen lab now operational

Dairy News

Ireland’s second sexed semen lab now operational

Ireland now has a second sexed semen lab, which is based in the national cattle breeding centre (NCBC) lab in...
‘Not enough cows are calving in liquid milk herds in the autumn’

Dairy Technical

‘Not enough cows are calving in liquid milk herds in the autumn’

Teagasc winter milk events are taking place this week and are giving liquid milk producers the latest updates and outlook...
€748 predicted cost/cow increase for winter milk – Teagasc

Dairy Technical

€748 predicted cost/cow increase for winter milk – Teagasc

The cost of producing winter milk this year is set to increase significantly, according to Teagasc predictions. This week, a...
Beef-bull selection for dairy cows in 2023

Dairy Technical

Beef-bull selection for dairy cows in 2023

Beef bull selection for the dairy herd is going to be even more important for dairy farmers moving forward. Many...
Dairy advice: Preparing for the breeding season

Dairy Technical

Dairy advice: Preparing for the breeding season

The focus on autumn-calving herds is now moving towards the breeding season, as the number of calves being born reduces....
Developing a soil health plan for your farm

Dairy Technical

Developing a soil health plan for your farm

Developing a soil health plan for farms is possibly one of the most important things a farmer can do over...
Dairy advice: Management of in-calf heifers

Dairy Technical

Dairy advice: Management of in-calf heifers

Most farms have now housed the majority, if not all of their animals, including their maiden and in-calf heifers. In-calf...
Changes to the EBI to come in next week

Dairy Technical

Changes to the EBI to come in next week

The new carbon sub-index was launched earlier this week at Corrin Mart, along with a number of other changes to...
Teagasc winter milk events to take place next week

Dairy News

Teagasc winter milk events to take place next week

This year’s Teagasc National Winter Milk Week will take place from Monday, November 21 to Friday, November 25, with a...
EBI beef sub-index updated

Dairy Technical

EBI beef sub-index updated

Along with the launch of the new carbon sub-index, there has also been a number of updates to the beef...
Should you continue grazing late into November?

Dairy Technical

Should you continue grazing late into November?

The grazing season on farms should be coming to an end in the coming days, as farmers approach the final...
New carbon sub-index to account for 10% of total EBI figure

Dairy Technical

New carbon sub-index to account for 10% of total EBI figure

The new carbon sub-index for the economic breeding index (EBI) was launched today (Wednesday, November 16) at Corrin Mart in...