Weather: With a change in weather, the big question is whether stock should be housed. The answer to this question probably depends on the type of stock that they are. If they are light weanling heifers or steers, and they aren’t doing much damage to ground, I’d leave them outdoors. You don’t need to graze down tight when weather conditions are poor and you are better to move on a little faster to minimise any poaching and damage to paddocks.

If you can, move stock to drier fields during the wet weather and move back to low-lying fields when the weather improves. If cattle remain outdoors, using a back fence can help reduce poaching.

Try to keep grazing divisions as square as possible to minimise damage. Splitting up larger groups into smaller groups can help to minimise damage. Cows with young calves are different and if you see calves getting very cold and underfoot conditions are very wet, the right option may be to house.

Having a well-ventilated creep area with plenty of straw is a must. Young calves would be better outdoors if the only option indoors is slats. Avoid dehorning or stressing calves during periods of very wet or unsettled weather.

Shelter: Having stock in fields with good shelter is a must during periods of bad weather. This is especially important where there are young calves in the group. Temporary shelters can be erected using bales of straw to break the wind chill effect.

Once a calf has somewhere dry to lie, a full stomach and shelter from the wind, it will be OK. You need to be extra vigilant during this time for any signs of sickness as if a calf lies around, it will get cold and its condition can deteriorate very quickly.

Housing: If you do take the decision to house, try to house stock dry. Housing wet cattle is a recipe for problems. Cattle can become very sweaty once housed and steam rising off cattle can lead to ideal conditions for disease to spread. Make sure young calves have access to a clean, dry creep area with plenty of straw.

If cows are housed and are fed average-quality silage, meal will need to be fed to maintain milk supply and body condition.

Feeding 2kg to 3 kg/day of a simple ration with 14% protein will be fine when it is for a short period. Offering creep to stronger calves will also help to take the pressure off the cows sucking these calves.

Mart events: Our final mart event in our spring series “Achieving targets with healthy stock this spring” takes place in Tuam Mart, Co Galway, next Wednesday 13 March. AXA Insurance, Tommy Heffernan, Dovea Genetics and Munster AI will all be speaking at the event. The event is KT-approved and attendance is free.

Our final mart demo event in Northern Ireland takes place in Swatragh Mart, Co Derry, tonight, Thursday 7 March, at 7pm.