Each month, we focus the spotlight on a Tirlán employee. For our March edition, we’re talking Bryan Harte, Ruminant Technical Specialist

Bryan, who originally hails from Co Wexford, has been working with Tirlán for over a decade. He joined the Agribusiness team in 2014 as Ruminant Business Manager and has since taken on various roles within the organisation.

Prior to joining Tirlán,  Bryan completed a degree in Animal Science and a Master’s in Livestock Nutrition at Aberystwyth University in Wales. His academic experience and record laid a strong foundation for his career in the agricultural sector. Bryan also spent some time working Grassland Aro (formally T-Mac) prior to joining Tirlán.

Bryan’s current role involves overseeing the Milk Solids Growth Programme, a key initiative aimed at improving the nutritional performance of livestock and enhancing farm profitability. He emphasises the diversity of his role saying: “No two days are the same. I have a passion for animal nutrition and really enjoy supporting our farmers to achieve higher performance from their herd through nutrition.”

Bryan’s passion for livestock nutrition and his commitment to adding value to our farmers’ businesses have been instrumental in the development of the Milk Solids Growth Programme.

Bryan acknowledges the challenges faced by farmers, including environmental constraints and the need for improved nutritional practices. However, he also sees these challenges as opportunities to innovate and provide solutions that benefit both the farmers and our organisation. The Milk Solids Growth Programme, for example, has been well-received by farmers, as it offers a win-win solution that enhances farm profitability and increases milk production.

Bryan appreciates the open and progressive work culture within our organisation. Bryan says: “I value the willingness of my colleagues and management to listen to suggestions and ideas, which has fostered an environment of innovation and collaboration. This  supportive culture is crucial for driving continuous improvement and delivering value to our farmers.”

Balancing a busy role with personal life can be challenging, but Bryan manages it by prioritising tasks and focusing on what delivers the greatest return. He is a strong advocate for maintaining physical and mental wellbeing through healthy eating, exercise and sports. Bryan enjoys a variety of activities, including rugby, football, golf and sea swimming.

Bryan is optimistic about the future of our organisation and his role within it. He envisions continued innovation and a commitment to providing value to our farmers.

Take a glimpse into our team’s festivities in China

As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, we asked some of the members of our team in China to share how they celebrated this special occasion with their families, their traditions and the campaigns they participated in. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, stands as the most cherished tradition in Chinese culture. It symbolises renewal, hope and the collective dreams for prosperity in the coming year. Falling on the first day of the lunar calendar, this vibrant celebration unites Chinese communities worldwide through a tapestry of rituals, feasts and joy.

Taiyuan: A Blend of History and Modernity

Nathan Dong, Assistant Marketing Manager

Taiyuan, my hometown, is located in the northern part of China and has a history of civilisation for over 5,000 years. It has also been the birthplace of several generations of emperors. Today, Taiyuan retains numerous historical sites, which become even more dazzling during the Chinese New Year. Every household in Taiyuan is decorated in a unique blend of cyberpunk and modernisation, colliding with ancient history to create a distinctive Chinese city and New Year celebration.

The Essence of Chinese New Year

Raymond Li, ASPAC Business Development Director

Out with the Old, In with the New

In the days leading up to the festival, families embark on a thorough cleansing of their homes, a ritual called “sweeping the dust” (扫尘). This represents bidding farewell to the past year’s misfortunes and embracing a fresh start. Once sparkling clean, homes transform into festive havens adorned with crimson decorations: poetic couplets praising harmony, upside-down “Fu” (福) characters symbolising “good fortune arriving” and glowing lanterns casting a warm, auspicious glow.

Family Reunion and Togetherness

The Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner, or “Nian Ye Fan” (年夜饭), is the heart of the celebration. Millions embark on journeys home, braving crowded trains and flights – a migration dubbed “Chunyun” (春运) – to gather around the table with loved ones. The feast features symbolic dishes: dumplings resembling ancient gold ingots for wealth, fish for abundance, and sticky rice cakes for progress. As laughter fills the air, families tune into the Spring Festival Gala, a star-studded TV extravaganza blending comedy, music and dance.

Visiting Relatives and Exchanging Blessings

The first days of the New Year are marked by visits to relatives and friends. Dressed in new clothes – often red for luck – people exchange greetings like “Xin Nian Kuai Le!” (新年快乐, Happy New Year) and “Gong Xi Fa Cai!” (恭喜发财, Wishing you prosperity). Children eagerly receive “hongbao” (红包), red envelopes filled with money, symbolising protection from hardship. These gestures strengthen bonds and weave a web of goodwill for the year ahead.

My Spring Festival Experience

Brooke Yu, Assistant Finance Manager

The Spring Festival, China’s most important holiday, is always a magical time for my family. This year, preparations began weeks in advance. My parents cleaned every corner of our home to “sweep away bad luck,” while I helped Grandma stick red Spring Festival couplets on our doorframe, symbolising hopes for prosperity.

On New Year’s Eve, the whole family gathered to make dumplings. My little cousin accidentally shaped one like a cartoon character, making us all laugh. At midnight, fireworks painted the sky in dazzling colours as we shouted “Guònián hǎo!” (Happy New Year!). The deafening crackles of firecrackers scared our cat under the sofa!

The highlight was receiving red envelopes from elders. Though Mom always jokingly says, “I’ll keep this safe for you,” her warm hug felt more precious than the money. We stayed up late watching the Spring Festival Gala, munching on crispy rice cakes and candied hawthorns.

For the next week, we visited relatives wearing new red outfits. Each home smelled of sizzling fish (a must for abundance) and sweet rice balls. Even my tech-savvy grandparents surprised us by sending digital red envelopes through WeChat!

The festival ended with the Lantern Festival, when we floated glowing paper lotus lights at the park pond. As I watched my little sister’s excited face reflecting the golden lights, I felt grateful for these traditions that stitch our family closer.

Avonmore China Marketing Team’s Festive Spirit 

Claire Hou, Brand Manager

This January, the Avonmore China marketing team embraced the festive spirit of Chinese New Year with exciting new online activities, blending tradition with innovation. To celebrate the holiday, we developed and shared a series of delightful Chinese New Year recipes on social media, bringing traditional flavours to life for our Food Services Professional followers. Incorporating the symbolism of ‘sweet happiness and family gathering’ from Tanghulu into desserts and beverages, we aimed to inspire festive ideas.

In keeping with the cherished tradition of giving red packets to family and friends, symbolising blessings and good fortune, we introduced a modern twist by designing a digital red packet. This innovative feature, available on WeChat, allows users to send their blessings conveniently and stylishly via their phone.

Let’s come together to embrace and celebrate the rich traditions of Chinese culture. May this Spring Festival bring joy, harmony and prosperity to all.