FOUR in five farmers have been unable to get cattle out on grass for the whole of the month of February, according to a survey.

Over 80% of farms could not get their herd out to pasture due to wet weather, data collected by FRS Co-op for its February Calving Insights Survey found.

The survey revealed that farmers have been forced to work longer hours to manage their cattle, and have experienced added pressure towards managing their feed, silage and slurry storage.

Anecdotally, some farms are struggling to maintain shed cleanliness and hygiene due to their slurry storage issues. This has led to increase cases of mastitis and milk fever. Additionally, some cows are coming into heat in sheds which has caused falls and injuries on slippery surfaces.

These issues are compounded by a notable drop in milk quality and volumes on many farms. Although farmers are spending extra money on fodder and concentrate supplementation, milk yields have fallen due to the absence of grass.

The survey also has shown that on average 63% of cows had calved on farms as of the 28th of February.

On average, between 95% and 100% of farms in each county had started calving by the end of the month. Despite the added workload on farms, the majority of respondents (60%) said that this year’s calving season has been similar to last year. However, a minority of farms have seen their calving period delayed or prolonged.

With the added slurry storage concerns, farmers have been quick to sell calves once they are of age. On average, 60% of farms have begun selling calves on so far this year.