Farming Columnist - Brian Reidy

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#Farming Columnist - Brian Reidy

Herd Management

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>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.</p>

farming

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.

<p>Don't stretch the rotation much beyond 25-26 days, as quality will deteriorate rapidly after that, advises ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.</p>

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Brian Reidy: Keeping herds performing through summer grass deficit

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

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

splashing rain

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

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

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