Kilkenny farming - Teagasc advice for early spring grass growth

With milk price expected to remain under pressure in 2026, early grass growth will play a big role in controlling costs on farms this spring.

Slurry spreading is permitted from midnight on Monday, January 13, with chemical fertiliser application opening on January 30 for Zone A, and farms that can take advantage of suitable conditions will be better placed as spring gets going.

Slurry should be the first nutrient applied where ground conditions allow.

Applied early, it provides nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at a time when grass demand is beginning to increase.

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One thousand gallons of cattle slurry supplies approximately six units of N, five units of P and 30 units of K. Where low-emission slurry spreading (LESS) is used, more of this nitrogen is retained, improving its value to the crop.

It should be noted that all farms with a stocking rate of >100kg N/ha will be required to use Low-Emission Slurry Spreading in 2026.

The key with slurry is placement. Target the driest paddocks first, particularly those intended for early grazing. On dairy farms, this helps build covers ahead of turnout and reduces reliance on silage and meal in February and March.

On mixed farms, slurry should be prioritised on ground that will deliver the biggest grass response.
Where phosphorus allowance is limited, directing slurry to silage ground allows grazing ground to be fertilised with nitrogen only, keeping grass moving without over-using slurry.

Protected urea also has an important role in early spring. Used in modest amounts, it delivers a reliable grass response and helps stretch grass supplies at a time when cows are transitioning back to a grass-based diet.

Applying 20 units N per acre using protected urea costs approximately €12.50 per acre at current prices.
Grass response to early nitrogen is at least 10 kgs of dry matter for every 1kg of nitrogen applied. This means that 20 units of nitrogen can grow around 250kga of grass dry matter per acre.

In simple terms, that is the equivalent of one bale of high-quality silage worth approximately €40, grown for a €12.50 investment.

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For dairy farmers facing tight margins, this return is hard to ignore. Earlier grass reduces feed costs, supports milk production and allows cows to settle back into grazing sooner.

Beef and mixed farms benefit in the same way, with improved grass supply reducing pressure on conserved feed.

Splitting nitrogen between February and March also improves how efficiently it is used. A split application can grow an additional 240kgs of grass dry matter per hectare compared to applying all nitrogen in March.

While early nutrient application and getting cows back to grass are key targets for many farms, it is important to acknowledge that this is not possible everywhere.

Wetter soil types and heavier ground will limit what some farms can do in January and February.
On these farms, the focus should remain on avoiding damage, protecting soil structure and taking opportunities when conditions allow.