St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching but soft ground conditions coupled with continued rainfall is resulting in spring grazing on drystock farms remaining unworkable in most cases and challenging in others.

Farms with grass covers built up on drier soil types have managed to get some grazing done, but prolonged rainfall continues to fall on most parts of the country.

Generally, the farms that manage to achieve the higher rates of early spring grazing in tough conditions are drier-type farms with a paddock system set up in a way that cattle can be housed again if needs be.

Other farmers prefer to keep cattle housed until they are confident they can let cattle out to grass and they will not have to be rehoused.

Pressure is mounting on most farms to get at least some cattle out to grass with slurry storage filling up but, in many cases, this remains simply not workable.

If a dry spell presents, and slurry storage is under pressure, getting a contractor in with an umbilical system to spread even some slurry may be a good option.

All farmers can do is monitor ground conditions by walking fields regularly. If drier paddocks are identified and a weather window opens for grazing, lighter stock could be turned out.

When grazing in wet conditions, it is generally best to graze lower grass covers over larger areas rather than high covers on small areas.

When conditions do allow for grazing, it is best to ensure that cattle are not going out full of silage.

Cattle that are slightly more hungry will be more inclined to start grazing once turned out rather than continue walking around the field.

Thankfully, fodder supplies remain in a good position generally and if additional fodder is needed to be bought-in, it is relatively available in most regions.

At this time of year, the weather can often 'take up' in a very short space of time.

A few good drying days will hopefully see an end to the winter housing season for cattle farms in most parts of the country.