In our recent Grassland Management Feature, agricultural consultant David O’Connell wrote a fascinating article on the effect of climate variability on our farms. Fifty-six-year-old O’Connell founded OCAE Consultants in April 1998 and has offices at Ballinderry House, Enfield, Co. Meath.

His own farm is 200 acres mixing tillage with breeding National Hunt horses. O’Connell is the former owner and managing director of IAS Laboratories and is passionate about National Hunt breeding and about the importance of soil management. The OCAE team are made up of three agricultural graduates, all registered FAS advisors with DAFM, three environmental and geography graduates and a management accountant. Clients include Thoroughbred and sport horse stud farms, commercial farmers, small businesses and large corporations.