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FARMING - DAIRY SECTOR

A collection of the latest news, views and analysis from the farming desk on the topic of Dairy.

<p>Macra president Josephine O’Neill told the IFA meeting in Corrin Mart in Fermoy that failing to renew derogation for farmers will force land prices up. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke</p>

farming

Losing derogation will be catastrophic, IFA meeting told

The Irish Farmers’ Association Nitrates Derogation meeting heard that a loss of derogation would incur an average reduction of €43,500 to a family farm income if stocking rates are forced to drop

<p>Over 1,000 farmers assembled in Corrin Mart in Fermoy for the IFA National Nitrates Derogation meeting.</p>

farming

No deal yet when it comes to derogation - Heydon

<p>Rathard Choco Kalani with Aisling and Georgie at Kilbonane National School.</p>

farming

Paula Hynes: The day our daughter took a calf to school

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Brian Reidy: Reducing the dry period to lower milk production costs

500 dairy farming families recognised for efforts in herd health awards

farming

500 dairy farming families recognised for efforts in herd health awards

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Tipperary woman appointed as Bord Bia's new China manager

Tipperary woman appointed as Bord Bia's new China manager

Sinéad Kennedy from Cahir has been appointed as Bord Bia's new China manager, advocating for Irish food and drink there

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Tipperary farm awarded top prize at the Quality Milk Awards

Tipperary farm awarded top prize at the Quality Milk Awards

The Ryan Family from Moyne, Thurles were the overall winners of the 2025 National Dairy Council and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Thu, 23 Oct, 2025

Male farmer with short brown hair,walking in the direction to his tractor,standing next to his agricultural field in the evening

Sowing mental wellbeing in farming

UCD’s Agri Mental Health Group hopes to put farmers' mental health to the forefront of the conversation, working on driving research and awareness

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Dairy cow waiting to be milked

Genetic gain in dairy cows has increased rapidly in recent years, report shows

The average EBI has increased by €188 in the last 20 years, with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation reporting this translates to an additional €376 per lactation for dairy farmers

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Precious produce

Tirlán and Dairygold apply the largest reductions to milk price

They cited a decline in butter and cheese prices as a major factor in the decreased September milk price

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Tractor miniature with coins on fertile soil land

Cattle up 53.8% in agricultural price index for August 2025

The latest Agricultural Price Index reports the biggest output price going to cattle and the highest input price being fertilisers in the 12 months to August 2025.

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Bottles with milk

Farmers say supermarkets' cutting milk prices is a PR campaign to lure shoppers

Following price cuts from major retailers on their milk prices, farming organisations fear a price war at the expense of Irish farmers.

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Side view of young vet clinician in labcoat touching nose of purebred dairy cow

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

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

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Nitrates, milk prices and TB top of the agenda at this year’s National Dairy Show

Nitrates, milk prices and TB top of the agenda at this year’s National Dairy Show

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told dairy farmers that his government will continue to press the European Commission on the future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation as one of its “key priorities.

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Dairy farm cows indoor in the shed

Brian Reidy: Remember, no one can feed a dry cow for free

At the current milk price, if cows are in good condition, keep them milking, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Thu, 09 Oct, 2025

Shot of an unrecognisable woman using a digital tablet while working on a farm

New NFS Farm Enterprise Data Dashboards launched

Teagasc has launched their new NFS Farm Enterprise Data Dashboard along with the finalised publication of the 2024 National Farm Survey

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Paula Hynes: Rivers running free as Storm Amy hits

Paula Hynes: Rivers running free as Storm Amy hits

It was a miserable 48 hours as the rain returned with a bang during storm Amy

Sun, 05 Oct, 2025

Tirlán launch €15m Generational Renewal Programme for next generation of farmers

Tirlán launch €15m Generational Renewal Programme for next generation of farmers

A new programme aims to support family succession and generational renewal with existing co-op suppliers and new entrants.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

A cows on a pasture on a summer. Livestock on free grazing. Livestock farm. Agricultural landscape, cow on green grass field.

Total cattle numbers at an almost 12-year low

According to a provisional report by the CSO, the total number of cattle in Ireland is at a 12-year low, with farming organisations citing several factors

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

New Animal Health Ireland hoof health programme launched

New Animal Health Ireland hoof health programme launched

In an attempt to curb the €145m annual loss caused by lameness in the national dairy herd, AHI has launched its new Hoof HealthCheck Programme

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Bluetongue high-alert period coming to an end

Bluetongue virus still circulates widely in mainland Europe, reported for the first time this year in Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovenia

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Wexford woman reaches final of EU innovation award for female farmers

Wexford woman reaches final of EU innovation award for female farmers

This year’s theme highlights farmers leading the transition to more sustainable water use and management

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Alfalfa silage and thermometer

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

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

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Signpost: Strong grass growth keeps cows out full-time in October

Signpost: Strong grass growth keeps cows out full-time in October

Cows are currently milking 16.2 litres per day at 4.8% fat and 4.14% protein, which is 1.49kg milk solids per cow. Cows are receiving 16kg of grass and 4kg of meal in the parlour

Sat, 27 Sep, 2025

Precious produce

Farm organisations criticise 'wholly disproportionate' milk price cuts which will wipe €1,500 off cheques

The ICMSA said: 'We’d like to draw attention to the very obvious discrepancy that has the co-ops telling farmers that they’re ‘locked-in’ to forward prices when farmers point to a rising market, while often the very same co-ops seem to be able to opt out very easily of the ‘forward price straitjacket’ in a falling market.'

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Dairy cow waiting to be milked

Economic Breeding Index drops by €97 with new updates

The ICBF has said farmers “just have to recalibrate their thinking” when it comes to the lower figures.

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Black and white dairy cow grazing contentedly relaxed and happy while other cows graze behind. Methane and greenhouse gases a bi

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

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

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

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

Brian Reidy: What are your feeding options for stock for the coming winter?

As we head into October, attention will turn to preparing for housing and the winter-feeding plan

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Cows Feeding in a Modern Barn

Improving feed utilisation in winter diets

Feed utilisation refers to how efficiently animals convert the feed they consume into productive outputs such as body weight gain

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Agriculture study to help form economic strategy for Cork County Council

Agriculture study to help form economic strategy for Cork County Council

The study will focus on the true value of agriculture, especially the dairy sector, to the region

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

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Brian Reidy

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Herd Management

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Paula Hynes

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Hoofing it