Farming Columnist - Brian Reidy

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#Farming Columnist - Brian Reidy

Herd Management

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>
<span lang="EN-US">With young stock, the better you grow your heifers, the more mature an animal you have entering the herd in the first lactation, writes Brian Reidy.</span>
</p>

farming

Managing the dairy herd this winter — nutrition plans for performance and animal health

Increasing supplementation in late lactation will not only improve body condition, but it will also help to maintain milk yields and milk quality, resulting in a higher price per litre right through to drying off, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

<p>Once stock go indoors, clean out water troughs regularly. If cattle don’t drink, they don’t eat and, as a result, don’t perform.</p>

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Herd Notes: Why autumn is a good time to apply lime

Cow drinking water

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

The dangers of Tetany in sucklers when grazing this October

farming

The dangers of Tetany in sucklers when grazing this October

Freshly processed milk

farming

Brian Reidy: What do Milk Urea’s actually tell us

Dairy cattle feeding on silage

Brian Reidy: Using straw to replace and strecth grass silage

Most beef and dairy farmers are all too aware of the difficulties associated with this summer’s drought.

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Dutch cows

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

After a difficult summer, grass growth has recovered strongly on many farms, but low dry matter levels and tight winter forage reserves mean careful feeding will be essential to protect milk yield, solids and body condition this autumn, writes Brian Reidy.

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Low Section of Agronomists in Rubber Boots Walking on Organic 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 week on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub.

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

Cow and calf

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 week on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Wed, 26 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

Cow explores green grassland today. Young cow follows cows through pasture. Cow joins livestock, cattle, grazing herd. Cow enjoy

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, 17 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

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

Electric Fence

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, 20 Jul, 2026

Dry grass stems with farmland field and winter woodland landscape

Brian Reidy: Keeping herds performing through summer grass deficit

As we all know, June and July are difficult months to manage grass in normal conditions, never mind when the crop comes under the heat and moisture deficit stress, like it is now, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

Golden Hour Corn Harvest

Now is the time to get ahead with your winter feed budget

The harvest of wholecrop cereals will start soon and crops are pretty variable, as some were significantly affected by late drilling and all of the wet weather, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

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 Jun, 2026

splashing rain

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, 23 Jun, 2026

a farmer installs a fence for his cows

Brian Reidy: Feeding cows now that grass growth has improved

Grass is the major forage for dairy herds in Ireland, and we all agree that it is the cheapest source of feed, so its potential should be maximised, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Two cows, livestock rutting, side view, black and white playful authentic heifer

Heifer-rearing: Why 22-24 months remains the key target for calving

Efficient heifer rearing provides a sound platform for the herd's future, while not hitting growth and fertility milestones will result in poorer herd performance

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Farm machinery

Reseeding always pays: Brian's top tips for reseeding success

Now that growth has finally recovered, it should encourage us to start planning for some autumn reseeding, writes Brian Reidy

Wed, 27 May, 2026

Young NZ Dairy Farmer with Calves

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 week on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Wed, 27 May, 2026

Brian Reidy: French milk production comes in many shapes and sizes

Brian Reidy: French milk production comes in many shapes and sizes

Independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy reports on a recent trip to France — the systems were diverse, but each had a goal of optimum profitability

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Tractor spraying crops

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 week on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Tue, 12 May, 2026

calves in the field

Brian Reidy: Is it a good idea to cut costs by feeding calves less meal?

Many years ago, a man told me 'If you wrong a calf, you wrong yourself'. He was right then, and he is still right now, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Freshly processed milk

High TBC? Here’s how to track down the cause on your dairy farm

For many dairy farmers, TBC can be such a struggle to deal with, as any number of things can be behind the problem, writes independent farm adviser Brian Reidy

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

With rubber boots through the mud.

Brian Reidy: Growth and weather need to pick up with grass growth below norms

As it does inevitably every year, growth will take off, and you need to identify when that occurs and act on it rapidly, and consider baling surplus grass as soon as possible, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Close-up of maize forage outdoors

Brian Reidy: Alternatives to grass silage make a lot of sense

Alternative forages such as maize, whole crop and beet provide a much more consistent quality product from year to year than grass silage, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

Beef Cows and Bulls grazing on grass

Brian Reidy: Planning for turnout — don't give up hope just yet

This year, there is added pressure to get stock out as there has been no opportunity to spread slurry since the opening of the spreading window, warns ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Sun, 08 Mar, 2026

Close-up on a farmer working at a farm and walking around the fields checking the grass

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, 02 Mar, 2026

Curious cow looking to the camera at cattle farm.

Same cow, different year: Why early feeding still matters even when times are tight

It is never the cow’s fault if we get bad weather at the wrong time. She has no influence on input costs, nor does she set the milk price, warns independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026

Grassland which slurry is injected.

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, 23 Feb, 2026

Oat florets on sunlit field full frame background

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 on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Newborn calf

Brian Reidy: Act fast with any calving, cow and calf issues

Act quickly when one or two cases appear, as the issue is unlikely to resolve without intervention, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

manure robot inside farm full of spotted milk cows in holland

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

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026

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

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

Fatmilking of cow utter before milking

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, 02 Dec, 2025

Silage clamp on a dairy farm in England, United Kingdom

Brian Reidy: The causes and cures for heating in grass silage

Moulds can thrive in silage that’s not well managed, worsening the problem, advises independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Close-up of maize forage outdoors

Brian Reidy: Feeding and management of livestock once indoors

2025 silages are a mixed bag, like any other year, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

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, 03 Nov, 2025

Dairy farming: Cows in the milking parlor are milked

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

Unnecessarily long dry periods will cost you a lot of money this winter, advises ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Fri, 31 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

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

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

Silage being prepared in a round bale wrapper

Brian Reidy: Is there time for one more cut of silage before winter rolls in?

Grass will obviously need a bit of a longer wilt at this time of year, particularly if it is being baled, as grass dry matters are currently between 13% and 15%, advises independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Brian Reidy: Can any of these calves selling for €500+ make a profit?

Brian Reidy: Can any of these calves selling for €500+ make a profit?

Calves have been selling at record prices in 2025, but is it possible for them to make any money? Independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy gives his take

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025