Introduction
Denis O’Donovan is a dairy farmer from West Cork who is constantly looking for new ways to improve his farm. Through the use of HerdPlus, the National Genotyping Programme (NGP) and other ICBF services, Denis uses performance data and genetics to drive continuous improvement within his herd.
Located halfway between Rosscarbery and Glandore in Co. Cork, Rouryhill Farm overlooks Glandore Harbour and the Atlantic Ocean. Denis farms alongside his wife Collette, son Eoghan and his parents, DJ and Sheila.
Denis took over the farm in 1996 from his father DJ. Like many farms at the time, it was a mixed enterprise with approximately 50 milking cows. A trip to New Zealand in 2007 proved influential in shaping the future direction of the farm. Denis recalls seeing how milk was being produced from grass-based systems using crossbred cows and says, “This was when I decided to start crossbreeding at home.”
HerdPlus Journey and Using HerdPlus on the Farm
Denis has been a HerdPlus member since the service launched in 2006. He uses milk recording and herd performance data to support breeding and management decisions on the farm. He initially joined to have access to all his farm data in one place and found the colour-coded SCC system particularly useful. According to Denis, “It was very useful and has obviously come a long way since then.”
Today, Denis has access to all his animal’s data through the HerdPlus app on his phone. He regularly uses the app during calving season to check insemination records, EBI values and animal information. Having this information readily available has made day-to-day management much easier. As Denis explains, “I don’t have to write an animal’s tag number down and check it later on the laptop when I’m in from the yard. That’s the real bonus of HerdPlus. All the data is in one place and it saves a huge amount of time on paperwork.”
Denis closely follows EBI evaluations to ensure his herd continues to move in the right direction. He also makes extensive use of the Bull Search facility when selecting bulls for breeding, keeping an eye on bulls he may wish to use in the future and monitoring how their evaluations are performing over time. For Denis, the key objective is simple: “I’m checking whether a bull is trending in the right direction to suit my herd.”
As a member of several discussion groups, Denis regularly uses HerdPlus reports such as the EBI Report, Fertility Report and Co-op Performance Report to analyse herd performance and identify opportunities for future improvement.
National Genotyping Programme Journey
Denis joined the National Genotyping Programme in 2023 to improve parentage verification and traceability within his herd. Genotyping provides confirmation that calves are linked to the correct dam. This helps to identify and correct any recording errors that may occur during the registration process. It also provides each calf with a genomic evaluation, offering an early indication of its genetic potential.
Denis found the transition to genotyping straightforward due to the familiar process of BVD tissue sampling. Calf tags are ordered before calving and kept in the calf house, so they are readily available when needed. He typically submits samples weekly and finds the process simple and easy to manage.
Now in his third year of genotyping, Denis values the confidence it provides in knowing exactly which animals and bloodlines are present within the herd. During breeding season, stock bulls are used to mop up at the end of the AI programme, making genotyping particularly valuable for accurately identifying calf parentage.
Making Progress Supported by Performance Data
The benefits of HerdPlus and genotyping are evident in the herd’s performance figures. The herd currently has an EBI of €174, placing it among the top 10% of dairy herds nationally and well above the national average of €115. While Denis does not breed specifically for a high EBI figure alone, he focuses on selecting animals with the traits that best suit his farming system.
Denis believes genetics play a crucial role in achieving the farm’s long-term business goals. His main focus has been on creating what he describes as an “easy-care cow”. For Denis, crossbreeding was “a no-brainer” as it helps deliver compact calving, healthy cows and high milk solids output. Ultimately, he believes that combining the right cow with a simple grass-based system creates “the least headaches”, which aligns with his overall business goals.
These breeding decisions are reflected in the herd’s milk performance figures. In 2025, the herd achieved an average milk fat percentage of 4.86% and a protein percentage of 3.85%. This placed the herd well above Co-op top-performing herd benchmarks.
Advice for Other Farmers
Denis encourages farmers who are not currently using HerdPlus to consider signing up. He believes the service offers excellent value, with the benefits far outweighing the cost when the data available is fully utilised. In his view, HerdPlus brings all farm data together in one place and presents it through reports and tools that are easy to use and understand.
For farmers who are new to HerdPlus, Denis recommends taking the time to learn how the service works. He believes that “spending a small amount of time becoming familiar with the system makes it much easier to get the maximum value from it.” He also highlights the online resources, tutorial videos and support available from the HerdPlus team when assistance is needed.
Looking to the future, Denis’s goals include achieving further genetic gain, improving clover-based grassland management and ultimately passing the farm on to his son Eoghan, who shares his passion for farming.