A huge thank you to Sinéad and Donal Buckley, and their children Ellen and Hugh, for warmly welcoming us to their dairy farm and providing such an insightful look into modern dairy farming.
Donal spoke to the students about the crucial role nutrition plays in milk yield and overall herd performance. He shared his passion for his Holstein and Fleckvieh herd, explaining how careful selective breeding helps produce high-yielding, disease-resistant cows that thrive in Irish conditions. Students also learned about the vital importance of colostrum which is rich in nutrients and antibodies, essential for calf health. Donal demonstrated how they use a Brix refractometer to measure colostrum quality, bringing textbook learning to life.
We were given a tour of the calf housing facilities and learned about feeding routines and herd health management, highlighting how the Buckleys ensure each calf gets the very best start in life. Donal also linked his talk to the theme of “inputs and outputs,” which is central to the current 5th year project, offering students practical ideas and real-world examples.
This visit was a hugely valuable learning experience that deepened students’ understanding of dairy farming, animal welfare, and the modern technologies and practices shaping today’s dairy industry. To top it all off, we were all treated to tea, coffee, and delicious breakfast baps — a very welcome bonus!
We are incredibly lucky to have such an excellent example of progressive farming right on our doorstep. Sincere thanks to the Buckley family for sharing their time, knowledge, and hospitality, and for making the visit both educational and enjoyable.
