I farm: “110 cows on a 41ha milking platform with my husband, Neil. My father, Michael, is in his 70s and still very much involved. We operate a low-cost grass system and we’ve been milking once a day for the 10th season now.”
OAD milking: “It was forced on us in a way. My brother, who farmed with my father, passed away unexpectedly. I was working in Dublin as a vet at the time. I came to help for a couple of months and when I went back to work we went OAD to help my father.”
Gillian and Neil O'Sullivan and their children Fionn (six), Hannah (four) and Tim (two) are hosting RTÉ's Big Week on the Farm TV show from 9 April. \ RTÉ
Big move: “My husband, Neil, and I both worked as vets in Dublin and didn’t know much about farming, but we decided to move home. My father is a very progressive farmer, he transferred all his knowledge to us over two years and then handed over the farm. We stayed with OAD because we needed time to learn about grass management, etc, and we found that the cows adapted to it and their production improved.”
Tough spring: “We have about 60% of the milking platform grazed and hope to graze it fully by the second week in April. We’re giving the cows 2kg of soya hulls at milking in the morning and let them out for the day. We’re bringing them in the evening and give them a 60% ration, then silage overnight. Normally they would be out all the time now and this spring has given us a lot more work.”
Gillian and Neil O'Sullivan and their children Fionn (six), Hannah (four) and Tim (two) are hosting RTÉ's Big Week on the Farm TV show from 9 April. \ RTÉ
Gillian and Neil O'Sullivan and their children Fionn (six), Hannah (four) and Tim (two) are hosting RTÉ's Big Week on the Farm TV show from 9 April. \ RTÉBig Week on the Farm: “RTÉ contacted us about hosting the show and came down in February. We had a chat, put our heads together and decided to go with it. There was a bit of sadness on the farm after my brother passed away and we’re happy to do something fun and create positive memories. It’s been busy with some filming already – our children Fionn (six), Hannah (four) and Tim (two) are very excited about it. The team is due to start building the set next week, but that depends on the weather. We’re looking forward to a great week.”
Read more
Co Waterford farm to host RTÉ's Big Week show
Big week on the farm hits big numbers
Room to improve on Dermot Bannon's farming knowledge
I farm: “110 cows on a 41ha milking platform with my husband, Neil. My father, Michael, is in his 70s and still very much involved. We operate a low-cost grass system and we’ve been milking once a day for the 10th season now.”
OAD milking: “It was forced on us in a way. My brother, who farmed with my father, passed away unexpectedly. I was working in Dublin as a vet at the time. I came to help for a couple of months and when I went back to work we went OAD to help my father.”
Gillian and Neil O'Sullivan and their children Fionn (six), Hannah (four) and Tim (two) are hosting RTÉ's Big Week on the Farm TV show from 9 April. \ RTÉBig move: “My husband, Neil, and I both worked as vets in Dublin and didn’t know much about farming, but we decided to move home. My father is a very progressive farmer, he transferred all his knowledge to us over two years and then handed over the farm. We stayed with OAD because we needed time to learn about grass management, etc, and we found that the cows adapted to it and their production improved.”
Tough spring: “We have about 60% of the milking platform grazed and hope to graze it fully by the second week in April. We’re giving the cows 2kg of soya hulls at milking in the morning and let them out for the day. We’re bringing them in the evening and give them a 60% ration, then silage overnight. Normally they would be out all the time now and this spring has given us a lot more work.”
Gillian and Neil O'Sullivan and their children Fionn (six), Hannah (four) and Tim (two) are hosting RTÉ's Big Week on the Farm TV show from 9 April. \ RTÉGillian and Neil O'Sullivan and their children Fionn (six), Hannah (four) and Tim (two) are hosting RTÉ's Big Week on the Farm TV show from 9 April. \ RTÉBig Week on the Farm: “RTÉ contacted us about hosting the show and came down in February. We had a chat, put our heads together and decided to go with it. There was a bit of sadness on the farm after my brother passed away and we’re happy to do something fun and create positive memories. It’s been busy with some filming already – our children Fionn (six), Hannah (four) and Tim (two) are very excited about it. The team is due to start building the set next week, but that depends on the weather. We’re looking forward to a great week.”
Read more
Co Waterford farm to host RTÉ's Big Week show
Big week on the farm hits big numbers
Room to improve on Dermot Bannon's farming knowledge
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