Background

Based in the townland of Carrigans, on the outskirts of Omagh, the McConnell farm covers roughly 300 acres, and is run by husband and wife duo, Drew and Val.
Drew initially studied Accountancy before he decided that he much preferred cows to people! He took over the farm in 1993, and is now the 3rd generation McConnell to farm the land. They are aided by their 3 daughters: Debbie, Kathy, and Ellie; and new pup Mac.

The Numbers

Enterprise	2018	1993
Dairy Cows	160	70
Milk Quota	>1 million	340,000
Dairy Replacements	70	35
Dairy / Beef Calves	10	0
1 - 2 y.o. Beef Cattle	30	0
Breeding Ewes	150	50

Research & Projects

The McConnell's are firm believers that research and technology is the future of the agricultural industry. The farm has been involved in several research projects over the years, with a number of organisations, including:

• Focus Farms;
• Ulster Grassland Society;
• British Grassland Society; and
• AFBI.

These programmes have provided the farm with the opportunity to meet farmers from all over the world. It has hosted groups of farmers and students from all over the UK and Ireland, and also countries such as the Netherlands, Hungary, and New Zealand.

New Technologies

In 2014, the farm installed a new, fully automated milking machine. The robotic milker allows about 50 cows to be milked of their own accord 2 or 3 times a day. Studies have shown that automatic milking systems improve, not only milk yields, but also cow welfare.
The farm also uses a 'Heat Detection System' for easier, and more accurate tracking of when a cow is in heat. The cow has a collar around her neck which tracks her movements. If she is more active throughout the day, this is a good indicator that she is in heat.