Fodder

Farmer Writes: the dreaded herd test

Autumn brings the dreaded herd test, and while we’ve now been running a clear herd since mandatory testing began in 1962, there’s always an underlying fear that TB will pop up.

FARMER WRITES 21 October 2026

Farmer Writes: the dreaded herd test

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Mixed late-cut silage yields bring poorer quality

Mixed late-cut silage yields bring poorer quality

NEWS 7 October 2026

Grass growth takes most farmers out of fodder deficit

Grass growth takes most farmers out of fodder deficit

FEED 7 October 2026

Vet explains why lush autumn grass may not be as good for cows as it looks

Vet explains why lush autumn grass may not be as good for cows as it looks

Vet explains why lush autumn grass may not be as good for cows as it looks

NEWS 7 October 2026

Budget 2027: the key asks from farm organisations

Budget 2027: the key asks from farm organisations

Budget 2027: the key asks from farm organisations

NEWS 30 September 2026

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Dutch firm's clever silage grab designed to leave pit face 'like it was shaven'

Dutch firm's clever silage grab designed to leave pit face 'like it was shaven'

Fergal O'Sullivan spoke to Frederick de Boer of Flingk Machinebouw, about its range of feeding and bedding equipment to see what Irish farmers may learn from the Dutch approach to winter feed-out.

FARM MACHINERY 30 September 2026

Scanners seeing effects of drought on cow empty rates

Scanners seeing effects of drought on cow empty rates

Scanners across the country have reported that scanning is going well with no major shocks, however there are still a number of suckler herds to be scanned in the coming months.

NEWS 30 September 2026

Beef management: grass tetany, housing preparation and mart events

Beef management: grass tetany, housing preparation and mart events

Martin Merrick gives some practical advice on reducing the risk of grass tetany and prepping buildings for housing and looks at what events are coming up for the autumn beef series this week.

MANAGEMENT 30 September 2026

Extra slurry storage to falling milk supplies - the findings behind our survey

Extra slurry storage to falling milk supplies - the findings behind our survey

More than one-in-five dairy farmers reduced their dairy cow numbers in 2026.

NEWS 30 September 2026

Wicklow dairy farmer's five-step plan to tackle a 50-day winter feed shortfall

Wicklow dairy farmer's five-step plan to tackle a 50-day winter feed shortfall

For Wicklow dairy farmer Declan Bollard, a great rebound in autumn grass growth has filled a lot of the winter feed deficit, but scars from the summer drought remain, writes Aidan Brennan.

GRASS & FEEDING 30 September 2026

Forage option on cards for farms with ACRES geese and swan lands

Forage option on cards for farms with ACRES geese and swan lands

Fodder cut for sale would not be covered by the change and farmers intending on utilising the force majeure will need to notify the Department of Agriculture before doing so.

NEWS 30 September 2026

Slurry deadline: ‘criminal’ to expect farmers to spread slurry on needed grass

Slurry deadline: ‘criminal’ to expect farmers to spread slurry on needed grass

Common sense is needed when it comes to slurry management, so that farmers can make the best use of available nutrients, protect fodder supplies and avoid unnecessary costs, the ICSA said.

NEWS 25 September 2026

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Why protein and grass-fed create a positive outlook for Irish dairy

Bord Bia Head of Dairy David Kennedy spoke to Julian Mellentin, New Nutrition business founder, to explore the trends influencing dairy and what they could mean for Ireland’s grass-fed dairy sector.

Why protein and grass-fed create a positive outlook for Irish dairy

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