A huge thank you to Sinéad and Donal Buckley for hosting us on their dairy farm and providing an insightful talk on modern, sustainable dairy farming.
Donal spoke about the importance of nutrition and the effect it has on milk yield.
He spoke fondly of his Holstein and Fleckvieh herd and how selective breeding ensures high-yield, disease-resistant cows that thrive in Irish conditions.
He spoke about the importance of colostrum, the first milk, which is packed with nutrients and antibodies vital for the calf’s health.
We also got to see the calf housing, feeding routines, and how the Buckley's manage herd health to give each calf the best start in life. It was a valuable experience that deepened our understanding of dairy farming and animal care.
And to top it all off, we were all treated to tea, coffee, breakfast baps and even their own cheese. It was delicious!
Thank you to the Buckley family for sharing their knowledge and giving us such an informative and enjoyable visit today.
Thanks to Mr. Shanahan for organising the trip.
