Brian Costello

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Brian Costello

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Suggestions that better education can improve farm safety are insulting nonsense

Suggestions that better education can improve farm safety are insulting nonsense

Last week I met an Irish dairy farmer who was recently heavily criticised by his advisor and discussion group colleagues...
2015 – more cows or less cows?

2015 – more cows or less cows?

With the removal of milk quotas only a few months away, many Irish dairy farmers are set to calve and...
Do ‘recycled’ empty cows have a role?

Do ‘recycled’ empty cows have a role?

Increasing the number of dairy cows is expensive and can be a significant drain on cash in a fledgling dairy...
Factories, live exports and marts don’t do farmers justice

Factories, live exports and marts don’t do farmers justice

Trust between beef producers and the main processors appears to be at an all-time low. Producers appear to be completely...
Exploring the ‘third option’ for dairy farmers

Exploring the ‘third option’ for dairy farmers

I was recently involved in a discussion with a small group of west of Ireland dairy farmers. While delighted with...
Farming for profit? Profit for loss?

Farming for profit? Profit for loss?

Agriland recently reported on a Teagasc Dairy Expansion seminar where it was stated that ‘If you’re not farming for profit,...
Colostrum, hygiene and observation, the basics of calf-rearing

Colostrum, hygiene and observation, the basics of calf-rearing

COMMENT: There are increasing numbers of calves being reared on Irish dairy farms in response to the removal of milk...
Get herd quality right before expansion

Get herd quality right before expansion

COMMENT: In my role as a farm consultant I am fortunate to work with lots of dairy farmers who have...
Efficient contract rearing key to dairy expansion

Efficient contract rearing key to dairy expansion

COMMENT: From 2015 the new quota in Irish dairy farming will be the amount of milking platform hectares that cows...
Dairy expansion – auto-pilot vs hands-on

Dairy expansion – auto-pilot vs hands-on

Comment: For farmers considering significant expansion on their existing dairy farm or indeed establishing multiple farms, making the transition from managing...