#Farming Columnist - Brian Reidy

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#Farming Columnist - Brian Reidy

Herd Management

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>If there is any drop in confidence for those that invest in calves each year, through a drop in factory or mart prices, then calves will be a tough trade in the spring of 2026. Picture: O'Gorman Photography</p>

farming

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

Herd tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Drought again beginning to bite in the South and East

Farmland

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Cows in a field, Orkney, Scotland

farming

Making weaning in the suckler herd low stress

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

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

Close up of calves on animal farm eating 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

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

tools for artificial insemination of cow.

Feeding for breeding: A checklist to evaluate your herd

The feeding of dairy cows at grass has a huge bearing on subsequent herd fertility, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Nitrogen Fertilizer

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, 11 Mar, 2025

Herd of brown cattle in grassy meadow

Brian Reidy: Planning ahead to avoid grass tetany at spring turnout

It's very common every spring to hear about suckler cows going down with Tetany, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Cow bonding with her newborn 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, 03 Mar, 2025

Electric fence on farm land at sunset.

How to make the most out of first-round grazing

If you are lucky enough to be out grazing, it is important to manage the swards carefully, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Thu, 27 Feb, 2025

Three Hereford Cows Grazing

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, 24 Feb, 2025

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

Is it too early to put my stock out?

Managing grass on beef farms is often different to dairy herds as on beef farms, as cattle are generally either in or out, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

Grazing Cows

Brian Reidy: When you're early grazing, don’t forget about the cow

First-round grass is typically lower in energy and protein, and farmers are reporting that even if they go to grass for a few hours, their herd continues to eat the same amount of feed as when they were full-time.

Mon, 17 Feb, 2025

Holstein 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, 17 Feb, 2025

Baby calves in a barn

Spring calves – getting feeding and management right

Providing calves a suitable environment for them and rearing them with optimum performance take skill and precision, writes independent ruminant nutritonist Brian Reidy.

Thu, 06 Feb, 2025

Used cattle salt block closeup

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 Feb, 2025

North Devon Ruby Red beef cattle feeding in a row, Spetisbury, Dorset, England, UK

Suckler calving - early positive and negative signs

As with each calving season, you can often see how it will go based on the first couple of calvings. Issues encountered in the first few births need to be addressed as soon as possible, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Thu, 30 Jan, 2025

Soil checking

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist - spring grazing special

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, 22 Jan, 2025

Cows walking approaching, towards and oncoming in a group, a herd on a path to the milking robot under a blue sky

Brian Reidy: Getting ready for grazing 2025

There is a lot to do around the farm before stock can get out grazing, ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy gives his tips for how to get grazing 2025 off to the best start.

Tue, 21 Jan, 2025

They love their milk

Brian Reidy: Fresh cows — driving intakes for optimum performance

Drive intake pre-calving and reap the benefits for the whole lactation

Wed, 15 Jan, 2025

Portrait of calf lying in straw on farm

Brian Reidy: Animal health issues in cattle this December

We have experienced a pretty mild spell of weather recently, apart from Storm Darragh that is.

Wed, 11 Dec, 2024

Cow Eating Green Grass on a Meadow

Brian Reidy: What does 2025 have in store for Irish beef and dairy herds?

All going well, the grazing season is not too far away. Most dairy farms will be targeting a turn-out date in February.

Tue, 10 Dec, 2024

Holstein Dairy Cow

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, 29 Oct, 2024

Milking the 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.

Wed, 23 Oct, 2024

Taking samples of the soil and groundwater, environmental research.

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, 15 Oct, 2024

Maize silage: Getting the best possible feed ensiled properly

Maize silage: Getting the best possible feed ensiled properly

Wastage and spoilage at feed-out can be a huge financial cost with maize silage. Good management when filling the maize pit is critical to avoid these issues

Wed, 09 Oct, 2024

Cows in a meadow at sunrise

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, 30 Sep, 2024