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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>Although framed to benefit consumers, Irish dairy farmers supplying Irish supermarkets are becoming concerned about the price cuts.</p>

farming

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.

<p>Discuss the correct dosing protocol for your herd with your vet.</p>

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

<p>An Taoiseach Micheál Martin chats with stall holders at the National Dairy Show. Picture: Maria Kelly</p>

farming

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

Dairy farm cows indoor in the shed

farming

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

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

farming

New NFS Farm Enterprise Data Dashboards launched

Paula Hynes: Rivers running free as Storm Amy hits

farming

Paula Hynes: Rivers running free as Storm Amy hits

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

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

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

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Brian Reidy

Brian Reidy

Herd Management

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Paula Hynes

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Hoofing it