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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>Fresh cows, and heifers in particular, are the most vulnerable and least competitive animals in the milking herd. They tend to avoid situations where they must compete for feed, water or cubicle space, and this avoidance reduces overall intake.</p>

farming

Brian Reidy: Why feed space, water, and cubicles matter for early lactation

As a rule of thumb, if cows spend more than a minute standing on a cubicle undisturbed without lying down, they are unhappy with the cubicle design, warns independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

<p>Carina Roseingrave showing one of her pedigree cattle from her farm in Crusheen, Co Clare.</p>

farming

Burren farm blending tradition and a modern vision has plans to develop

<p>A dairy cow was found to have bird flu antibodies in her milk.</p>

farming

Bird flu antibodies detected in cow in the Netherlands

Increased pre-movement tests form part of TB plan

farming

Increased pre-movement tests form part of TB plan

Agri Aware’s farm Walk & Talk returns with additional dates

farming

Agri Aware’s farm Walk & Talk returns with additional dates

Cow bonding with her newborn calf

farming

Reducing metabolic risk in transition cows

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

A farmer holding a handful of freshly cut silage, showing the texture and quality of the forage used for livestock feed. Capture

Brian Reidy: Why dry matter intake is key to early lactation performance

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

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

Close up of calves on animal farm eating food. Meat industry concept.

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

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

AHI urges farmers to act fast on BVD this spring

AHI urges farmers to act fast on BVD this spring

'Tag. Bag. Test. Remove' has become Animal Health Ireland's motto this spring to move Ireland towards bovine viral diarrhoea eradication

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026

Herding the Sheep

Celebrating women driving progress across Irish agriculture

Tickets now available for the third annual International Women's Day lunch hosted by Macra and the Agricultural Science Association

Thu, 29 Jan, 2026

Hereford cattle

China suspends beef exports from Ireland following bluetongue outbreak

Under the protocol governing the beef trade between Ireland and China, the Irish Government is required to notify the authorities in China of an outbreak of certain notifiable diseases, including bluetongue

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

Dairy farm cows indoor in the shed

No boost for dairy in EU-India deal

High Indian tariffs on cheese, milk powders and dairy-based nutritional products remain unchanged, while there has been no movement on sanitary, technical or product approval requirements

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

Baby calves in a barn

DairyBeef 500 conference to focus on calf sourcing, better genetics and health

The Teagasc DairyBeef Conference plans to outline important areas of dairy calf to beef production with presentations and a panel discussion.

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

Tipperary family wins Dairygold Malting Barley competition

Tipperary family wins Dairygold Malting Barley competition

Oliver and Margaret Keating from Co Tipperary were crowned the overall winners of Dairygold's Malting Barley competition at this year's Tillage Conference

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

Grass and daisy covered rural lane, lined on either side by hedgerows

Proposed changes to Eco Scheme a 'meaningless measure'

Farming organisations have pushed back against the proposed changes to the Eco Scheme, saying the removal of previously approved actions within the scheme 'dilute' farmers' efforts

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Bluetongue outbreak confirmed in Wexford

Following a confirmed outbreak of bluetongue on a farm in Wexford, agriculture minister Martin Heydon reminds farmers vaccines for the virus are now available

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Retired man looking at cattle grazing in a field

Two in five farmers have no formal successor as ageing demographics fuel looming succession crisis

The newest Ifac Farm Report has revealed that two in five farmers have no formal successor despite the ageing population, succession planning proving to be a ongoing challenge

Thu, 22 Jan, 2026

Macra demands immediate action on young farmer supports

Macra demands immediate action on young farmer supports

Macra president Josephine O'Neill said urgent action was required to support young farmers and warned delaying until CAP 2028 would be 'simply too late'

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

Female veterinarian at work

Wide variation among vets' decisions on calving management revealed

Survey of 64 Irish vets show they are up-to-date with current recommended best practices in calving management

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Selective focus shot of milk bottling factory

ICMSA call for EU-wide voluntary milk supply reduction scheme to prevent farmer ‘wipeout’

IMCSA president, Denis Drennan, has called for an EU-wide voluntary milk supply reduction scheme similar to the one in 2016 to help stabilise the falling farmer milk price

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

An aerial view of the rural landscape around Dublin Airport , Ireland, showing a patchwork of green fields divided by hedgerows

Kerry Group recognised as global leader in climate, forest and water security

Kerry achieved an ‘A’ rating for climate change, the highest score available, placing the company among the top 4% of companies assessed globally by the Carbon Disclosure Project

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Tirlán expands water quality learnings across Co-op catchment

Tirlán expands water quality learnings across Co-op catchment

Tirlán set to expand its 'Farming for Water' project in an effort to improve on-farm economic and environmental performances with members

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Fresh produce

Domestic milk intake in the 11 months to November 2025 up 5%

According to the latest Central Statistics Office report, domestic milk intake rose by 5.1% (419.1 million litres) from January to November last year

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Mince and steaks from the butcher's store - English Market, Cork, Ireland

Irish beef allowed back into Chinese market

This week, China announced the reopening of its markets to Irish beef imports

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

feedlot intensive production system beef cattle

Farming organisations welcome Government decision to oppose Mercosur

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, the Irish Farmers’ Association, and Meat Industry Ireland all welcomed the decision

Thu, 08 Jan, 2026

Irish MEP appointed to lead CAP role

Irish MEP appointed to lead CAP role

MEP Nina Carberry has been appointed to lead negotiations going forward on the future Common Agricultural Policy (2028-2034)

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Cows being fed fodder housed in winter, Roscommon, Ireland.

Teagasc advises rechecking cattle two to three weeks after lice dosing

Clipping cattle along the back and around the tail head reduces sweating, helps animals stay cleaner, and makes it more difficult for lice to move and multiply

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Mince and steaks from the butcher's store - English Market, Cork, Ireland

Vietnamese market now open to Irish beef exports

Irish beef and beef products have been approved to enter the Vietnamese market, where rising incomes and a growing middle class have increased demand for premium proteins

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

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

Second Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy launched

With the emerging biosecurity threats on the island the Department of Agriculture has launched the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy (2025-2030) ahead of the new year

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Cow eating in a milk production farm

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.

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Small farms to benefit most from derogation, says senator

Small farms to benefit most from derogation, says senator

'We have three years now to look at the alternatives and at what the future is for the derogation in Ireland. Could it be the unthinkable, a future without derogation? What might that look like?'

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

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Brian Reidy

Brian Reidy

Herd Management

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PLAY THE WEEKLY FARMING CROSSWORD

The interactive version of the crossword that appears in Thursday’s Farming supplement. No cheating.

Paula Hynes

Paula Hynes

Hoofing it