Farm Smart: How a Galway Farmer Swapped His Diary for a Farm Management App – and Never Looked Back
Brian McDonagh farms in County Galway, carrying on the legacy started by his father. The farm has long been home to sheep and suckler cows, and Brian took over the day-to-day farm management in 2010. He started small, managing 10 suckler cows and 40 sheep. Over the years, his operation evolved, and he expanded his cow herd to 16 before choosing to exit suckler farming about five years ago.
That decision marked a turning point in how he approached his business. He refocused on sheep farming and sustainable systems, with a strong emphasis on quality and long-term value over volume.
Two years ago, Brian made the move to certified organic farming. Today, his farm includes 56 sheep, mostly Texel, along with 4 pedigree ewes and 5 lambs. He also keeps 5 cattle, a mix of Limousin and Aberdeen Angus breeds. The livestock are sold at key maturity points, cattle at around two years old and lambs when they reach between 45 and 50 kilograms.
This setup allows Brian to balance efficiency with animal welfare and product quality. His shift to organic farming aligned with his long-term goals of working in harmony with the land and improving sustainability on the farm.
Farm Schemes and Organic Recognition
As part of his organic journey, Brian participates in several national programmes. These include Bord Bia certification, the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), SCEP, the Beef Welfare Scheme, and SBLAS. These initiatives require consistent documentation and traceability, reflecting Brian’s commitment to doing things properly and by the book.
That commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. His farm was recently selected to showcase Humusoil, an organic fertiliser product, highlighting his position as a forward-thinking farmer open to innovation and soil health solutions.
A Practical, Data-Driven Approach
Brian’s philosophy is grounded in improving results year-on-year. That means tracking breeding success, observing which animals perform best in his system, and adjusting accordingly. His setup allows him to work efficiently while still maintaining a close connection to the land and his animals.
He takes pride in the fact that his operation is lean, well-run, and compliant with modern standards.
Enter Herdwatch: Supporting Farm Management
Managing an organic farm and participating in multiple schemes can create a heavy admin load. Brian tackled that challenge by adopting Herdwatch, a farm management app that has helped him streamline his records and stay inspection-ready.
“Herdwatch cuts down all the paperwork and helps me see how animals are breeding. It also helps with recording all data related to each animal. I have used it from the start and I find it a great product.”
His favourite feature is the Sheep Breeding module, which helps him spot top performers and make better breeding decisions over time. “The sheep breeding feature is my favourite. Year on year you can see what animal is working well in my system.”
This visibility lets him track performance, spot trends, and make informed breeding decisions based on real data. In addition to breeding records, Brian uses Herdwatch for remedy treatments, calf registration, weight recording, pasture management, movement certificates, and Bord Bia paperwork. These tools help him stay on top of farm operations and scheme requirements.
“Yes, it’s very helpful with paperwork,” he says, especially during inspections.
“From health records to fertiliser inputs, everything is now easily accessible and up-to-date on my phone.”
Before Herdwatch, Brian recorded everything by hand. “It would be recorded in a diary,” he says.
While that system worked in the past, it wasn’t suitable for meeting modern compliance standards. Switching to a digital solution has made audits and inspections much easier to manage.
“I have recommended it, because it’s the best product on the market.”
Join Brian and over 20,000 farmers on Herdwatch by downloading the FREE app today!