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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>(Left to right) Frank Tobin, chief investment and strategy officer at Tirlán, John Murphy, Tirlán chairperson, minister for agriculture, food and the marine, Martin Heydon, Seán Molloy, chief executive officer at Tirlán and Lisa Koep, chief ESG officer Tirlán. Photo: Dylan Vaughan </p>

farming

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.

<p>Total cattle numbers have dropped by 3.9% (278,300) in the 12 months to June 2025.</p>

farming

Total cattle numbers at an almost 12-year low

<p>Michelle McGrath, Hoof HealthCheck programme manager, Animal Health Ireland; vet Willie Buckley, Riverview Vets, Bandon, Co Cork; dairy farmer Nigel Bryan, Fountainstown, Co Cork; and Dr Muireann Connealy, dairy welfare senior research officer, Teagasc.</p>

farming

New Animal Health Ireland hoof health programme launched

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

farming

Bluetongue high-alert period coming to an end

Wexford woman reaches final of EU innovation award for female farmers

farming

Wexford woman reaches final of EU innovation award for female farmers

Alfalfa silage and thermometer

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

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

Martin Heydon not looking for 'a pat on the back' on his TB plan

Martin Heydon not looking for 'a pat on the back' on his TB plan

No one is questioning the science behind the agriculture minister's action plan, but farming organisations are still not entirely convinced

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Livestock leading cause of farm injury claims, new report shows

Livestock leading cause of farm injury claims, new report shows

Animal-related injuries accounted for almost a fifth of all claims to the Injuries Resolution Board— with cattle most commonly cited in claim applications, followed by horses, dogs and sheep

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Nitrogen Fertilizer

National Fertiliser Database opens for 2025

Farmers and other fertiliser users and operators can now declare the closing stock of fertiliser held on their farms and premises

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

National dairy herd shows positive fertility trend

National dairy herd shows positive fertility trend

Despite positive fertility performance across the national dairy herd, there is still room for improvement, say cattle breeders

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Farming requires hard work all year around

70% of dairy farmers view loss of derogation as a challenge to farm viability

A recent ‘Farmer Trends and Insights Survey’ has listed the loss of derogation and EU-funded farm schemes as a major source of worry for farmers

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Grazing Cows

Losing nitrates derogation could cost Irish dairy herds 27 cows each

Pat Deering was one of the Tirlán milk suppliers who revealed their concerns at a recent Farming for Water event

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Thanks to all the volunteers at Inniscarra

Thanks to all the volunteers at Inniscarra

Farming is like a merry-go-round, with baby calves on the farm again. Autumn breeding season is just around the corner, and it is hard to believe we will be breeding the show heifers soon, writes Aherla dairy farmer Paula Hynes

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Cork dairy farmer is first female winner of FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Cork dairy farmer is first female winner of FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Blarney woman Aileen Sheehan is named the 2025 FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Farmers react with caution to new TB eradication plan and 30 proposed actions

Farmers react with caution to new TB eradication plan and 30 proposed actions

Irish farmers give mixed reaction to the new TB action plan, warning it risks unfairly burdening farmers without clear commitments from others

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Paula Hynes: Black pudding in Cork and Belgium

Paula Hynes: Black pudding in Cork and Belgium

Kasey’s dam calved with a lovely heifer calf by Vierra Sting. It’s our second Sting heifer calf this autumn, and we also had a Chocochip heifer calve with a Blondin Classic heifer calf

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Heydon’s TB action plan finally announced

Heydon’s TB action plan finally announced

The new action plan as part of the TB eradication scheme, involves several new key actions, including informed cattle purchases, mandatory blood testing and special cull cow sales.

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Precious produce

Losing derogation could force one in eight families out of dairying

The fallout would leave 29% of Ireland’s dairy processing capacity idle during what should be peak months of production

Mon, 08 Sep, 2025

Bovine TB crisis in Ireland: why cattle disease cases are at their highest in 15 years

Bovine TB crisis in Ireland: why cattle disease cases are at their highest in 15 years

With herd incidence at a 15-year high, bovine TB remains Irish farming’s most costly, persistent and emotionally draining disease

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Cow in Nature

Stephen Cadogan: Why Irish dairy has escaped the brunt of US tariffs

Some economists predict an inflation surge in the US of an additional 3%, and say the US itself would be one of the most negatively affected economies by Trump's tariifs

Wed, 03 Sep, 2025

Confident in Her Line of Work

Dairy apprenticeship aims to close skills gap

Only 5% of Irish farmers are under the age of 35. One in every three is over the age of 65. The 2024 National Farm Survey found that the average age of an Irish dairy farmer was 54

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

Five Cork farming families among finalists for 2025 Quality Milk Awards

Five Cork farming families among finalists for 2025 Quality Milk Awards

The annual NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards honour Ireland’s leading dairy producers who continue to work to enhance standards of excellence in dairy farming and milk production in Ireland

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

Signpost: Rotations lengthening and good covers carry cows into autumn for Dermot

Signpost: Rotations lengthening and good covers carry cows into autumn for Dermot

Good grass supply, balanced diets and solid milk output have made 2025 one of the smoother years in dairying, writes Bandon dairy farmer Dermot Walsh

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Armagh and Wexford breeders jointly claim top title at ‘The Baileys’

Armagh and Wexford breeders jointly claim top title at ‘The Baileys’

A co-owned six-year-old Holstein Friesian was crowned 2025 Diageo Baileys Irish Champion Dairy Cow

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

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Brian Reidy

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Paula Hynes

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Hoofing it