Edited By
Joe Patton
Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer
Welcome to the Teagasc March Dairy Advisory Newsletter. In this edition, Teagasc Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, Dr. Joe Patton brings you practical advice on managing grazing after a difficult spring, fertiliser advice for the month ahead, and tips on cost control in a low milk price period.
Playing catch-up on grass
As we head into the first week of March, grazing is well behind target on most – if not all – farms. To ensure adequate grass supply for the second rotation, a measured approach to grazing the first rotation will be necessary when the weather picks up.
The main point at this stage is just to get a start made on grazing. Even grass for 3-4 hours a day will make a difference to cows, swards and the mood in general.
Long-term average weekly grass growth rates for March-April suggest that the first rotation will need to be extended out for 40-45 days. This is necessary to allow for the first grazed paddocks to have adequate grass (1100 KG DM/ha min.) to start the second rotation. With less fertiliser spread than target to date, it is likely than growth rates will be at the lower end of the normal range, so factor this into budgets
As soon as possible, farmers should:
- Walk their farms to establish the level of grass available,
- Identify the paddocks that are suitable to start grazing in,
- Complete a Spring budget on PastureBase or complete the Spring Rotation Plan,
- Follow the guidelines on grass allocations, back fencing, and grazing bout durations time. See the most recent Grass10 newsletter for more details (insert hyper link once available).
Pushing the target end of rotation to April 15th is a sensible strategy to keep grass in the diet every day and to set the farm up for the second rotation. As a rough guide, graze 30% by the middle of March, a further 30% by the end of March, and the final 40% by April 15th.
Fertiliser advice for March 2026
Challenging weather conditions this spring have delayed nitrogen (N) application on most farms. This task must be a priority once conditions improve on farm; consider using a contractor as workload is now very high.
As day length increases so too does the potential for growth, and therefore nitrogen demand. Additionally, nitrogen application is important to help maintain the quality of heavier swards.
- Assuming no fertiliser has been applied, where conditions allow, apply 35 to 38 units/acre of N in early March as Protected Urea, followed by another application of 30 to 35 units/acre of N in late March / early April. Target slurry to where it is trafficable at the moment, prioritising grazed areas and silage ground.
- On heavy land, target 30 units/acre of N applied in March, followed by another application of 30 units/acre of N in April, giving a total application of 60 units/acre of nitrogen by late April.
- Many farms will struggle to achieve these targets across the farm at present. Therefore, target the driest parts of the farm as they become suitable for spreading rather than waiting for the whole farm to be trafficable.
- Sulphur should be included in products applied from mid-March onwards. Where no nitrogen is applied on farms (or part of) by mid-March, increase the first application to 35 units/acre of N.
Does higher CBV mean higher calf prices?
Dairy farmers have made significant efforts to increase the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) of their calf crop, by using more sexed semen and higher merit Dairy Beef Index (DBI) beef bulls. Has this delivered increased value at sale?
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s (ICBF’s) weekly calf price data (16–22 February 2026) clearly highlights the added value of higher CBV beef x dairy calves. Focusing on the bottom and top third (traditional beef breeds), the price gap is consistent across sex and age groups.
For male calves under 21 days, the top third averaged €490 compared to €427 for the bottom third – a €63 premium. In the 21-42 day group, a €46 difference was observed (€562 versus €516). Female calves show a similar trend. Under 21 days, top third calves made €387 compared to €355 (+€32), while 21–42 day heifers achieved €448 versus €396 – a €52 lift.
These figures show that higher CBV calves consistently return €40–€60 more per head in mart sales. For dairy farmers using AI beef sires, selecting high DBI bulls can significantly increase calf sale value, delivering additional returns without any additional rearing costs.
For further insights on calf price stats, visit the ICBF Live Statistics webpage here.
Cash Flow Projections 2026
While cash flows are very individual to every farm, it is still possible to estimate the working capital requirement for your dairy farm. To do this, take the surplus or loss of cash in any month, add that balance to the next month’s projections, and divide by the average number of cows on the farm. This will give you the working capital requirement of your farm and shows when the farm will become positive from a cash flow perspective.
As we move through 2026, there seems to be a hope that increased stock sales values will save the year and make up for the lower milk price. While they will help and bring needed cash in the spring, it will not be enough to offset the drop in milk price.
When we factor in the increased stock value on the cumulative net cash position of an average-to-poor performing farm, it will still require €500/cow at its lowest point and will struggle to finish the year in a positive position.
If we do a similar exercise for a more efficient farm with a good cost base, the working capital requirement drops to €280/cow at its lowest and the farm will finish the year in a positive situation.
In summary, it is not the value of your stock sales but more your cost control that will determine if it’s a good or bad year.
During the busy spring workload, we revert to what we did in previous years. This will mean there is no change in costs structures. Over 60% of your costs are in the first half of the year. If we are to adjust costs, we must start now.
However, don’t skimp on costs that can have a long-term benefit to your business, such as dropping milk recording or not using AI in 2026. Check all costs to see are you getting a return. If not, then cut this cost from your business. Now is the time to act.
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