Surplus paddocks: With average grass growth rates across most of the country at between 70 and 80kg DM/ha/day, most farms are in surplus grass scenarios.

The problem is, with the very mixed weather forecast there are limited opportunities to cut these surplus paddocks out. This is concerning because if demand is kept high due to a high proportion of the farm being out for silage, then the farm is exposed when grass growth rates drop.

I say ‘when’ because grass growth rates are going to drop. This means some farms will go from a situation of surplus to a situation of deficit over the space of a few weeks.

The longer the silage paddocks are left uncut, the slower the recovery will be after grazing, so the problem snowballs. Some of the best grassland farmers out there will prioritise having the grass right for the cows over making dry silage.

When you think about it, of course they are correct to do so as the costs of rectifying a grass deficit problem are much higher than the costs or losses involved in making soggy bales from surplus paddocks.

At this stage, I’d be keen to get demand back to under 70kg/ha/day, so if one or two paddocks need to be cut in less than ideal conditions to do that, then so be it.

Calves: Now that replacement heifer calves are that bit older and eating more, they should really start to motor on.

Many farmers and vets have moved away from giving calves the lush, low-cover paddocks for fear of summer scour syndrome and instead go into slightly higher covers with more stem.

There still needs to be plenty of leaf in the sward to avoid it affecting performance. Diseases like coccidiosis are still a risk, and calves that were dosed pre-turnout may need to be dosed again.

It is still on the early side to start worm treatments, but it all depends on whether or not they need to be dosed, and in that regard dung samples should be taken for faecal egg counts.

At this stage, calves should be split up into groups based on weight, with lighter calves on preferential access to grass and a bit more meal.

The target liveweight will vary depending on breed type and genetics, but the general rule is a February born calf should be 23% of its mature liveweight by now, which for a 570kg cow is 133kg. Rather than giving 1kg to all calves, give 1.5kg to the light calves and 0.5kg to the ones on or above target.

Badger scheme: The Department have extended the closing date for the badger scheme until midnight on 7 June.

The scheme subsidises farmers for making investments in badger-proofing their farm, such as higher water troughs and higher meal troughs so badgers can’t enter them. It also grant-aids the fencing off of badger setts.

The rate of aid is 40% up to a maximum of €2,000 excluding VAT, so if a farmer spends €2,000 excluding VAT on eligible items, they will get €800 off at the point of sale from registered suppliers. Application forms are available at bovinetb.ie and can be emailed to RAHBio@agriculture.gov.ie.