For John Phelan being among the many Irish farmers supplying beef for McDonald’s is very much a family business.

John farms alongside his brother, Tadgh and father, Tim, at Blanchville in Co. Kilkenny where they run a specialist finishing system of around 300 continental cross heifers on a 60ha bloc.

All of the cattle on the Phelan farm are produced for Dawn Meats, some of which are used to supply beef to McDonald’s.

Dawn Meats has been a supplier of beef to McDonald’s since 1986, producing beef patties for its restaurants across Ireland, the UK and Europe.