Brian Costello, Author at Agriland.ie

Brian Costello

Suggestions that better education can improve farm safety are insulting nonsense

February 24, 2015

Last week I met an Irish dairy farmer who was recently heavily criticised by his advisor and discussion group colleagues for, in their…

2015 – more cows or less cows?

December 17, 2014

Dairy

With the removal of milk quotas only a few months away, many Irish dairy farmers are set to calve and milk a lot…

Do ‘recycled’ empty cows have a role?

December 4, 2014

Dairy

Increasing the number of dairy cows is expensive and can be a significant drain on cash in a fledgling dairy business. This applies…

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

October 10, 2014

Opinion

Trust between beef producers and the main processors appears to be at an all-time low. Producers appear to be completely disillusioned with the…

Exploring the ‘third option’ for dairy farmers

July 31, 2014

Opinion

I was recently involved in a discussion with a small group of west of Ireland dairy farmers. While delighted with the current window…

Farming for profit? Profit for loss?

June 19, 2014

Dairy

Agriland recently reported on a Teagasc Dairy Expansion seminar where it was stated that ‘If you’re not farming for profit, we’d like to…

Wet May puts high grass utilisation on the back burner for many dairy farmers

June 5, 2014

Dairy

May was a challenging month for dairy farmers on heavy farms in Ireland’s higher rainfall areas. Rainfall for the month was well above…

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

February 3, 2014

Breaking News

COMMENT: There are increasing numbers of calves being reared on Irish dairy farms in response to the removal of milk quota restrictions next…

Get herd quality right before expansion

October 8, 2013

Breaking News

COMMENT: In my role as a farm consultant I am fortunate to work with lots of dairy farmers who have significantly expanded their…

Efficient contract rearing key to dairy expansion

September 16, 2013

Breaking News

COMMENT: From 2015 the new quota in Irish dairy farming will be the amount of milking platform hectares that cows can reasonably be…

Dairy expansion – auto-pilot vs hands-on

August 9, 2013

Breaking News

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

Brian Costello

Thank You For Stopping By!