Grass and breeding on dairy farms after a hard spring
Spring 2026 has been one to forget on nearly all farms due to the very wet weather. Michael Donoghue, Teagasc Dairy Advisor, outlines key priorities for the weeks ahead.
This rainfall has created a lot of extra work, increased costs and reduced production on all farms, especially farms with heavy soils. However in the last week or so the rain has stopped and temperatures are improving. How we react in the next few weeks is critical to making a success of the rest of 2026.
Grass
Many dry farms are broadly on track with 60 – 70 units of N spread and maybe half way through the 2nd round of grazing. For these farmers its about keeping pre grazing covers at 1,400Kg/Ha, cover per cow between 160 and 190 and managing supply and demand as we enter into rapidly increasing growth rates.
On heavy farms grazing for many is only getting going in the last week or so, they might have 30% to 50% grazed. The next few weeks is going to be about trying to correct grass quality for the summer ahead. Aim to graze lower covers, less the 1,200 Kg/Ha if possible as this will help to get through ground, cows will do less damage and they are easier clean out, thus regrowth will be quicker and better quality. The reality is that on these heavier farms the 1st round of grazing is unlikely to be finished before regrowths get ahead for the cows. So as we head into May, the heaviest covers should be cut for bales. Do not let them go in with the 1st cut as the ground will be out too long. June is often one of the poorest months for Protein % on farms and this is down to cows grazing poor quality grass. So make sure to have after grass coming into the cow’s diet in June.
On the fertiliser side of things, hopefully 20 or 30 units of N went out in March or early April and now it’s a matter of topping this up to around 70 units. If no fertiliser has been spread go with 50 units of N. This vital as all farms especially heavier farms needing to maximise growth over the next 5 months.
Silage
Silage reserves have been significantly run down or exhausted on many farms after an early autumn and very late spring. Between this and higher silage costs the temptation will be to “go for a bit of bulk” with the 1st cut. However if you intend milking off this silage, quality is paramount.
Meal required for 27L of Milk with Average v Good silage:
- Average Silage: 69 DMD + 8 Kg ration = 27L
- Good Silage: 75 DMD + 4 Kg ration = 27L
4 kg of extra ration was required for the same milk yield because of poorer quality silage.
Thus high quality silage is a must for milking cows but also replacement heifers. There are many factors that affect silage quality; soil fertility, grass varieties, weather etc. but short term, cutting date is the most critical. So aim for mid May when weather allows for 1st cut.
Breeding
Most spring calving dairy herds are 1 to 2 weeks away from breeding. High dairy EBI straws and high DBI beef straws should be in the pot. Bulls should be fertility tested, get them checked out as the next 3 months represents a heavy work load for them. Remember bull ratios, a young bull should be good for 15 cows/heifers, while mature bulls should be good with 25 cows/heifers.
Body Condition Score (BCS) on most farms has held up reasonably well, probably better than production. This is critical to the success of the 2026 breeding season. Leafy grass is the best quality feed cows can get, so avoid heavy swards and feed 2 to 3 kg meal. If BCS is less than required put these cows on Once A Day milking. Leave them with the herd, just mark them and only milk them in the morning or evening. This should be done as soon as possible, for about 4 to 6 weeks.
Spring 2026 has been one to forget in the main but the milk season is only really getting going now. So getting cows back in calf, managing grass to maximise quantity and quality, while also building silage reserves for the winter of 2026/2027 is the name of the game now.