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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>Animals, like people, can sometimes fail to respond to treatment despite appropriate care being provided. Equally, certain conditions may be difficult to diagnose, particularly where symptoms are unclear or multiple conditions are present.</p>

farming

Ask a solicitor: My stud bull died after treatment — can I claim against the vet?

A pedigree breeder has suffered a substantial financial loss after a valuable stud bull died following veterinary treatment. Rural solicitor Karen Walsh explains what must be established before a negligence claim can be pursued

Paula Hynes 2 (1)

Paula Hynes: If only genetic gain could be simplified

Ask a solicitor: My neighbour’s cattle damaged my land – what are my rights?

Crop sprayer

farming

Brussels must count the high cost of policing pesticide imports

Autumn feeding: Focus on the cow, not just the grass

Lighten Up: Will Trump head to the ploughing?

Paula Hynes: Cashel Blue on the menu at Dualla show

Paula Hynes: Cashel Blue on the menu at Dualla show

A first visit to Dualla Show in Tipp was memorable for Paula as Jersey cow Cash won two championship sashes

Mon, 07 Sep, 2026

Grand Ole Opry: OPRY 100 - The Opry Remembers Dolly Parton

Denis Lehane: Saying goodbye to Dolly and hello to the lolly

A group of Irish cattle drovers travel to America to pay their respects to Dolly Parton in this week's Lighten Up

Mon, 07 Sep, 2026

Kay O’Sullivan: Diverse silage crops perform well despite prolonged drought

Kay O’Sullivan: Diverse silage crops perform well despite prolonged drought

Despite the prolonged drought restricting grass growth, Kay's red clover and multi-species crops have performed well, while five organic cattle finished from a grass-based diet at just 16 to 17 months

Mon, 07 Sep, 2026

Woman signing Last Will and Testament at wooden table, closeup

Ask a solicitor: Can I leave my farm to four siblings and exclude one?

Rural solicitor Alex explains whether an estranged family member can be excluded from inheritance and why a properly drafted will is essential.

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

The sunshine meter was topped up for Iniscarra Show

The sunshine meter was topped up for Iniscarra Show

Between awards, agricultural shows and the welcome return of rain, there has been plenty to celebrate as another busy autumn-calving season approaches.

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Tall corn stalks stretch towards a clear blue sky, thriving in fertile soil. The sun shines brightly, highlighting the vibrant g

Maize silage: Keep a close eye on crop maturity

Brian Reidy reports significant variation in the maize crops he has walked this week

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Mark Zuckerberg at G8 in Deauville, France

Auld Lehane's sound farm advice for Zuckerberg

I don't want Mark Zuckerberg coming to me after twelve months saying that the bullocks I encouraged him to buy didn't leave him a bob, writes our Auld Lehane in this week's Lighten Up.

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

Darren Allen: Direct drilling delivers as wheat margins come under pressure

Darren Allen: Direct drilling delivers as wheat margins come under pressure

Cork tillage farmer Darren Allen reflects on an exceptionally early harvest and reveals what his on-farm trials taught him about establishment systems, fungicide use and the increasingly precarious margins from winter wheat.

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Beautiful patchwork fields and bogland in Roscommon, Ireland.

Buying a farm: What should you look out for?

Rural solicitor Jane Bourke explains why careful legal checks are essential, even when the buyer knows the land and seller well

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Cows

Brian Reidy: Autumn 2026's fodder challenges still need to be addressed

The rain this week, while welcome, will eventually grow September grass and, unfortunately, I have never known September grass to be of great feed value, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Behind the scenes with the Baileys Champion Dairy Cow

Behind the scenes with the Baileys Champion Dairy Cow

Farming Examiner columnist Paula Hynes had the pleasure of visiting Hillholm Holsteins early on the Sunday morning before Ann left for Virginia to compete at the 2026 Baileys.

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Lighten up! Denis Lehane and Cónal Creedon take centre stage at Macroom mart

Lighten up! — Auld Lehane’s 21 years of Farming fun

21 years of "bluffing away" has only been a mere flash in the pan for our Auld Lehane, writes Denis in this week's Lighten Up.

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

FRANCE-AGRICULTURE-WEATHER-HEAT WAVE-ENVIRONMENT-CROP-SUNFLOWER

Stephen Cadogan: Did Brussels back the wrong climate battle?

Europe’s brutal summer is forcing an uncomfortable question in Brussels: has too much been spent trying to slow climate change, and too little preparing farmers and economies for its effects?

Wed, 19 Aug, 2026

Paula Hynes: From parched paddocks to the final shows of summer

Paula Hynes: From parched paddocks to the final shows of summer

The dry weather is putting farmers under immense pressure, with the extra workload every day of feeding what is realistically a winter diet, writes Aherla dairy farmer and Irish Examiner columnist Paula Hynes

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Radio Tower in Queensland

Lighten Up: Should RTÉ Cork move to the country?

Mick Dundee got on fine in New York, and RTÉ will get on fine here in Kilmichael too, once they get used of the dark... and the people, writes our auld Lehane.

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Abandoned Cottage

Ask a solicitor: Does my old farmhouse qualify for the Property Refurbishment Grant?

From an eligibility perspective, the fact that a property is located on a farm does not prevent it from qualifying for the Property Refurbishment Grant - what matters are the criteria set out under the scheme, writes rural solicitor Deirdre Rafferty.

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Black plastic wrap cover for cereal bales

Brian Reidy: Don’t bank on autumn grass to solve winter fodder shortfall

With drought eating into winter fodder stocks, now is the time to do the sums and plan how to bridge any feed deficit, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Herd of young calves drinking water

Managing heat stress: Why buffer feeding and grass management matter this summer

Maintaining dry matter intake is one of the biggest challenges during periods of heat stress

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Signpost: Drought forces tough calls as grass growth grinds to a halt

Signpost: Drought forces tough calls as grass growth grinds to a halt

With grass covers disappearing after weeks without significant rain, Denis Hickey is prioritising calves, feeding silage and preparing to sell some heifers to ease pressure on the grazing platform

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

Ann owns the show ring at Tullamore

Ann owns the show ring at Tullamore

The care and attention she receives simply makes her a champion, and everyone on the crew loved working with the cow.

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

A field full of ears of grain, wheat, barley, or rye being harvested by a combine harvester. Harvest time.

Brian Reidy: Quality feed on your doorstep

Advice, services and products don’t have to come from hundreds or thousands of miles away to be better. In many cases, what you should be using on-farm is next door, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

General Affidavit Document

Ask a solicitor: What should I do when a right of residence remains on the title?

This situation arises quite frequently, particularly where land has been passed down through generations with provisions made for parents or other family members.

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

Tattooed caucasian barman pouring beer while standing in pub.

Lighten Up: Brewery doors must be swung open to deal with the summer thirst

With the fine weather showing no signs of letting up, and with drinking water only available to thirsty cows and infants, something proactive has to be done, writes our Auld Lehane.

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

Silage being prepared in a round bale wrapper

Brian Reidy: Why bale silage goes mouldy — and how to prevent it

Poor fermentation, damaged plastic and crop contamination can all contribute to mould and waste in bale silage. Brian Reidy outlines the main causes and practical steps farmers can take to reduce losses.

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Paula Hynes: Different dairy systems deserve understanding — not criticism

Paula Hynes: Different dairy systems deserve understanding — not criticism

Grass growth has slowed dramatically and, with no rain in sight , it looks as if paddocks will start to burn up

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

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