Farmers are continuing to grapple with rapidly rising slurry tanks with little opportunity to spread on fields on account of the deluge of rain experienced since the start of the year, a new survey from FRS Co-op has found.
The 2026 calving insights survey, which canvasses the views of FRS Co-op farm service managers and team leads for insights on the spring calving season, reveals there is growing concern on farms nationwide over the incessant rainfall in recent weeks and its knock-on impact for the rest of the spring.
At the same time, operators have noted that most farmers are unable to get calved cows out on grass, which is adding costs at a time when milk prices remain under pressure.
The findings come as Ireland continues to be affected by wet and rainy conditions this week, with fields in many areas of the country still heavily waterlogged or flooded.
Calving
Aside from the difficult weather conditions, the survey found that just over 20% of cows are calved on farms in Ireland as of 31 January.
On average, just over two thirds (67%) of farms had started calving by the end of the month. The majority of farms (55%) started calving at a similar time to last year.
In contrast, just over one quarter (27%) of farms commenced calving earlier this year, according to FRS Co-op farm service managers, while just under one fifth (18%) of farms are reported to be behind compared with last year.
Despite the wet weather, service managers are not reporting any major animal health issues arising on farms so far in 2026. Just over one quarter (27%) of operators noted typical animal health issues on farms, including minor bouts of pneumonia and scour.
National training co-ordinator at FRS Farm Services Helena Silke said: “Calving is a tiring and difficult period of the year for Irish farmers.
"From surveying our network of farm service managers and team leads in FRS Co-op, it’s clear that these challenges have been compounded by the wet weather we have experienced over the last few weeks.
“Although farmers are resilient and have mostly remained on schedule in terms of calving, issues around slurry storage and cattle feed could continue to be a problem.
“The calving season always places increased stress on farmers at this time of year and I will encourage farmers to reach out for support if they need additional help this spring.”
Read more
East gets the brunt while west escapes
ACA warns of serious future slurry problems
Weather woes continue in the south and east
Farmers are continuing to grapple with rapidly rising slurry tanks with little opportunity to spread on fields on account of the deluge of rain experienced since the start of the year, a new survey from FRS Co-op has found.
The 2026 calving insights survey, which canvasses the views of FRS Co-op farm service managers and team leads for insights on the spring calving season, reveals there is growing concern on farms nationwide over the incessant rainfall in recent weeks and its knock-on impact for the rest of the spring.
At the same time, operators have noted that most farmers are unable to get calved cows out on grass, which is adding costs at a time when milk prices remain under pressure.
The findings come as Ireland continues to be affected by wet and rainy conditions this week, with fields in many areas of the country still heavily waterlogged or flooded.
Calving
Aside from the difficult weather conditions, the survey found that just over 20% of cows are calved on farms in Ireland as of 31 January.
On average, just over two thirds (67%) of farms had started calving by the end of the month. The majority of farms (55%) started calving at a similar time to last year.
In contrast, just over one quarter (27%) of farms commenced calving earlier this year, according to FRS Co-op farm service managers, while just under one fifth (18%) of farms are reported to be behind compared with last year.
Despite the wet weather, service managers are not reporting any major animal health issues arising on farms so far in 2026. Just over one quarter (27%) of operators noted typical animal health issues on farms, including minor bouts of pneumonia and scour.
National training co-ordinator at FRS Farm Services Helena Silke said: “Calving is a tiring and difficult period of the year for Irish farmers.
"From surveying our network of farm service managers and team leads in FRS Co-op, it’s clear that these challenges have been compounded by the wet weather we have experienced over the last few weeks.
“Although farmers are resilient and have mostly remained on schedule in terms of calving, issues around slurry storage and cattle feed could continue to be a problem.
“The calving season always places increased stress on farmers at this time of year and I will encourage farmers to reach out for support if they need additional help this spring.”
Read more
East gets the brunt while west escapes
ACA warns of serious future slurry problems
Weather woes continue in the south and east
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