Farming Columnist - Brian Reidy

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#Farming Columnist - Brian Reidy

Herd Management

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>To successfully feed dairy replacement heifer calves at grass, focus on a gradual transition from housing to grazing, high-quality grassland management, consistent supplementation to prevent growth checks and digestive upsets and a targeted preventative programme around dosing and vaccinations.</p>

farming

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

<p>A high TBC in milk rarely has just one cause — more often it’s a combination of hygiene, cooling, and equipment issues.</p>

farming

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

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

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

Beef Cows and Bulls grazing on grass

farming

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

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

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

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

Closeup of beef looking at camera. In a stable are many beefs. Ordinary day at 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 Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Mon, 18 Aug, 2025

LAND ASSECHEE LOT ET GARONNE

Drought again beginning to bite in the South and East

The drought conditions are particularly serious on dairy farms where good grassland managers had been wrapping surplus grass which had gone too strong

Fri, 15 Aug, 2025

Farmland

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, 11 Aug, 2025

Cows in a field, Orkney, Scotland

Making weaning in the suckler herd low stress

When weaning calves, reducing stress must be your priority. Stressed weanlings are much more prone to illness, such as pneumonia, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Mon, 11 Aug, 2025

Black and White Cow Up Close Grazing in an English Meadow

Milk production this August — there's still a long way to go until drying off

Keeping spring cows milking well must be high on the agenda, as they still have a long way to go before drying off, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

close up of wheat grain.

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, 28 Jul, 2025

Cow bonding with her newborn calf

Plan ahead now to get autumn calving off to a smooth start

Remember a cow in the dry period is like an athlete in pre-season and you must prepare the system for the season ahead, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Iowa Corn Field

Grain deals, straw steals: Now’s the time to buy smart

With soil temperatures well above normal, if we get more moisture, we can expect a supercharging of grass growth

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

Stacked bales of straw in farmers field Bedfordshire England

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, 21 Jul, 2025

LAND ASSECHEE LOT ET GARONNE

Grass under pressure as rain stays away for much of the country

The recent dry spell caused difficulties for many beef and dairy producers around the country. Grass growth slowed down dramatically on many farms, particularly in the south and east, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

Cows eating straw hay on pasture

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, 14 Jul, 2025

Row of brown cows staring over a wall

Brian Reidy: Weanling sales and managing grass for suckler performance

Some say successful beef and dairy enterprises are one-third breeding, one-third feeding and one-third management. But in truth, it's 100% management, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Brian Reidy: Don't let poor pit covers spoil your silage investment

Brian Reidy: Don't let poor pit covers spoil your silage investment

It is worth inspecting pits at this stage to make sure the job was done right

Mon, 23 Jun, 2025

Grazing cow head eating blades of grass, black and white, a cows pink snout in a green grass pasture

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, 16 Jun, 2025

Full frame image of fresh green grass shoots from sown seed, rejuvenated, damp and muddy green grass, Summer lawn maintenance, f

Brian Reidy: Is it time to think of reseeding your ground?

Reseeding can boost efficient grass growth, advises ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

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

Wed, 21 May, 2025

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

Brian Reidy: Are you getting optimum animal performance from grass right now?

Dairy herds in many areas have seen marked declines in milk yield well beyond normal yield curve reductions, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Wed, 21 May, 2025

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 Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Tue, 13 May, 2025

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, 05 May, 2025

They're a family of dairy cows

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, 28 Apr, 2025

Two Calves in Field

Creep feeding for suckler calves — how can it fit into your system?

Creep feeding in the suckler herd should ideally commence when calves require additional energy to maintain target weight gains beyond the energy consumed from milk and grass

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

Panoramic landscape with packed hay

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, 21 Apr, 2025

Row of brown cows staring over a wall

Brian Reidy: Selecting replacement heifers for the suckler herd

Breeding heifers at a younger age and at lighter weights yields a calf and return on investment earlier than waiting to breed until the heifer is heavier and older, but may require more careful management at calving, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Ahead of the herd

Getting the correct balance at grass

Remember as we approach the breeding season, low protein in your herd's milk is an indication of a negative energy and will lead to low conception rates, warns ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

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 Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub.

Mon, 14 Apr, 2025

Brian Reidy: Grass silage production for next winter must be a priority

Brian Reidy: Grass silage production for next winter must be a priority

Good-quality silage is cheaper to balance and gives better animal performance

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025