A majority of the dairy cows let out to grass over March were returned to sheds amid challenging spring grazing conditions, FRS Co-op has reported on responses submitted to its latest calving insights survey.

Some 70% of those who responded said that they took cows back in to manage ground conditions.

Just under a quarter of respondents reported to have witnessed animals health issues with pneumonia and scour the most common health challenges cropping up on farms.

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There was an average of 85% of the herd calved on the surveyed farms by the end of March as a little less than half of respondents said that 2026’s calving season proved “more challenging” or “harder” than last year’s season.

Around one in four farms that took part stated that their calving spread was more prolonged than other years.

“The wet and unpredictable weather conditions so far this year remain a significant concern among many farmers,” FRS Co-op said.

For the majority of farms across the country, the peak of the calving period has past, and the workload around calving is beginning to wind down

“Survey respondents have said that there has been a higher cost of production than what was expected this year due to extra buffer feeding (silage and maize), extra meal being fed in the milking parlour and more lime required for bedding in sheds.”

Assistant FRS farm services manager for the north midlands Ronan Skelly called for farm safety to remain to the fore as farmers near the end of calving.

“For the majority of farms across the country, the peak of the calving period has past, and the workload around calving is beginning to wind down,” Skelly said.

“Although Irish farmers are resilient and experienced, I want to implore farmers to be vigilant of safety.

“Calving is a dangerous job, and it is important that farmers aren’t working when they are worn out."