Maximise beef profits: navigate fluctuating mart and factory prices, optimise finishing diets, and make smart decisions on when to sell your cattle, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

It is never the cow’s fault if we get bad weather at the wrong time. She has no influence on input costs, nor does she set the milk price, warns independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub.

Act quickly when one or two cases appear, as the issue is unlikely to resolve without intervention, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Maintaining fresh-cow dry matter intake is one of the secrets to keeping cows healthy and productive throughout lactation, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

The first half of 2026 looks like being a difficult period for milk price and as a result, optimising milk quantity and quality is a must.

Irish livestock producers face significant economic uncertainty in 2026 from trade deals and rising costs, alongside managing crucial farm preparations for spring.

How you feed cows during their dry period will stimulate good appetite post calving and will really pay off in the next lactation as it will minimise stress and weight-loss post calving

Moulds can thrive in silage that’s not well managed, worsening the problem, advises independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

2025 silages are a mixed bag, like any other year, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy