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FARMING - COLUMNS

A collection of the latest columns, analysis and opinion from the farming desk. Enjoy.

Brian Reidy

Denis Lehane, Lighten Up

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

<p>Becky & Paula Hynes with Supreme Dairy Champion Eedy Rubicon Acclaim & Reserve Supreme Dairy Rathard Chocochip Kali being presented with the RDS medal by Maura Waters with Ann O Mahony & John Jeffrey at Cork Summer Show. Picture: Maria Kelly</p>

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Paula Hynes: From paddock to showring - the Cork Summer Show was a week to remember

Cork Summer Show is our local show and we have always enjoyed exhibiting dairy animals there, writes Aherla dairy farmer Paula Hynes.

<p>Grass is the major forage for dairy herds in Ireland, and ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy says we need to make the most of this great growth.</p>

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Brian Reidy: Feeding cows now that grass growth has improved

<p>The energy company wants me to sign an agreement that would restrict how I can use my land, is it a good idea? File image</p>

farming

Ask a solicitor: Should I sign the energy company's option agreement?

Paula Hynes 2 (1)

Paula Hynes: Something a little bit different in our silage fields

Farmer with Cattle in a Working Farm Yard

farming

Stephen Cadogan: Europe is finally catching up with Ireland on farm relief

Building on a gifted site? Here are the key legal and tax rules

Denis Lehane: Relax, it's only the Leaving Cert

Denis Lehane: Relax, it's only the Leaving Cert

Some of us are a long way from the world of rocket science, but we get by just as happy, or happier maybe, in many cases, writes our Auld Lehane in this week's Lighten Up.

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

John Deere 6920 Tractor and Mower cutting Grass for Silage on a Farm in the UK

Paula Hynes: First-cut silage completed despite challenging weather

I take my hat off to contractors and silage crews. The weather has been so challenging this year so far, and when it does come good, they get through a huge amount of work in a short space of time

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

Two cows, livestock rutting, side view, black and white playful authentic heifer

Heifer-rearing: Why 22-24 months remains the key target for calving

Efficient heifer rearing provides a sound platform for the herd's future, while not hitting growth and fertility milestones will result in poorer herd performance

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Farm machinery

Reseeding always pays: Brian's top tips for reseeding success

Now that growth has finally recovered, it should encourage us to start planning for some autumn reseeding, writes Brian Reidy

Wed, 27 May, 2026

Paula Hynes: A year of much progression

Paula Hynes: A year of much progression

The Midleton Show was a successful day for the team and now we look forward to Belgooly

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Dairy cattle eye check

Cancer: Why some farmers tell the vet before the doctor

The Farming Community Network is helping to train vets to recognise potential signs of cancer in farmers

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Buying meat at a supermarket.

Paula Hynes: The heat is coming on Brazilian beef

Brazilian beef is back in the headlines, but it looks like it will be coming off the menus in the EU, writes Cork dairy farmer Paula Hynes

Mon, 18 May, 2026

Moonrise over farmland

Taking Auld Lehane to infinity and beyond

As President Kennedy once said: 'We go to the moon, not because it's easy, but because it's hard.' And taking cattle to the moon will certainly be hard, writes our Auld Lehane in this week's Lighten Up

Mon, 18 May, 2026

Farmland divided by hedgerow

What happens when Land Registry maps and farm boundaries don’t match?

While registration of land in the Land Registry provides certainty of title, it is important to understand the limitations of Land Registry maps, writes rural solicitor Karen Walsh

Sun, 17 May, 2026

Brian Reidy: French milk production comes in many shapes and sizes

Brian Reidy: French milk production comes in many shapes and sizes

Independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy reports on a recent trip to France — the systems were diverse, but each had a goal of optimum profitability

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Paula Hynes: YMA — much more than just showing calves

Paula Hynes: YMA — much more than just showing calves

We might be a few weeks away from silage season here, however, breeding season is progressing well and we are seeing plenty of heats every day.

Mon, 11 May, 2026

Lighten up: Cork World Book Fest brings city and country together

Lighten up: Cork World Book Fest brings city and country together

Like a sow hearing the rattle of a bucket in a faraway yard, when our Denis Lehane heard about Cork World Book Fest, he just knew he had to be there

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Paula Hynes: The lazy cow that eventually gave birth to Lucky

Paula Hynes: The lazy cow that eventually gave birth to Lucky

Dairy farmers see so many cows calving that they learn to figure out a cow calving fairly quickly — too much or too little intervention can very quickly be a matter of life and death, writes Aherla dairy farmer Paula Hynes.

Mon, 04 May, 2026

Signpost: Counting stars at Denis Hickey's Midleton calf-rearing unit

Signpost: Counting stars at Denis Hickey's Midleton calf-rearing unit

Each year, Denis says he is trying to place more emphasis on buying calves with good commercial beef values (CBV scores)

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

calves in the field

Brian Reidy: Is it a good idea to cut costs by feeding calves less meal?

Many years ago, a man told me 'If you wrong a calf, you wrong yourself'. He was right then, and he is still right now, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

A peasant when silage smells a handful of grass

Cutting corners on silage a false economy in high-cost year

Farmers might question whether to allow crops to bulk up to increase yield per acre, or to cut earlier and prioritise quality over tonnage. This is a critical decision point, writes Alltech Ireland's Thomas O'Sullivan

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Close-up of Young Farmer Refueling a Tractor With a Gas Pump in the Countryside During Daytime

Kieran Coughlan: Contractor eligibility is unclear under new fuel subsidy scheme

The Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme will provide €20 million per month in supports, with funding directly linked to fuel usage last year to ensure those most impacted by the fuel price increase receive the greatest assistance, writes rural tax advisor Kieran Coughlan

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Paula Hynes: Turning a summer dream into a reality

Paula Hynes: Turning a summer dream into a reality

We laughed, got a little teary-eyed and what was such a simple moment was turned into the most magical of celebrations, writes Aherla dairy farmer Paula Hynes

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Dancing crowd and lights at a music event

Lighten Up: From bullocks to Bolton — it's time to turn marts into nightclubs

Let the of sound of Michael Bolton and Gloria Estefan ring out, where normally the sound of the lonesome weanling bull can be heard, writes our our Auld Lehane

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Freshly processed milk

High TBC? Here’s how to track down the cause on your dairy farm

For many dairy farmers, TBC can be such a struggle to deal with, as any number of things can be behind the problem, writes independent farm adviser Brian Reidy

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Paula Hynes: Pride, perseverance and partnership — celebrating 25 years with a global win

Paula Hynes: Pride, perseverance and partnership — celebrating 25 years with a global win

Becky's success Down Under kicked off a perfect week capped by our 25th wedding anniversary

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Hand with electric plug on a background of electric tractor

Farm view: Electric tractors won’t fix a diesel crisis on farms

Hopes for electric farming took the Monarch Tractor start-up company in California to a valuation of $500m. Time magazine even named it one of 2023's best inventions, but the tractor was a total failure in real farming conditions

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Paula Hynes: Our farm's secret to fantastic maiden heifers

Paula Hynes: Our farm's secret to fantastic maiden heifers

Housing through summer with a consistent diet transformed their thrive, boosting future herd performance and AI success

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Concept of justice, law and legal system

Ask a solicitor: Disclaiming an inheritance — do I have to accept it?

Difficulties often arise where a beneficiary wishes to disclaim 'in favour of' a specific person, such as a child or other relative, writes solicitor Alex Krupa

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

Adult male German Shepherd angry and barks

Ask a solicitor: Security dog attacks — what farmers need to know

Under Irish law, the owner of a dog is generally strictly liable for any injury caused by that dog, writes rural solicitor Karen Walsh.

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

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