"It's been a very tough spring, particularly for farmers."
That's according to Stephen Meissner from Ballyjamesduff who is the FRS Co-Op team lead for the north midlands.
The Ballyjamesduff farmer shared his concerns about fodder shortages and extra labour as cattle return to sheds.
Majority of Irish dairy farmers have been forced to return their cattle to sheds in some form due to the wet weather experienced recently as ground conditions remain challenged up and down the country.
Despite spells of much-needed dry weather throughout March, the latest Calving Insights Survey conducted by FRS Co-Op for the month of March has found that 70% of Irish farms needed to take their cattle off the grazing platform before the end of the month.
Speaking on today's Joe Finnegan Show, Mr Meissner said with cattle spending more time indoors this spring, 23% of farms have also seen animal health issues arise.
He says pneumonia and milk scour have been cited as the two main issues on farms this spring, but there has also been a rise in reported cases of milk fever and mastitis.
He told today's Joe Finnegan Show: "It's been a very tough spring especially for farmers with housing capacity, labour costs have gone up and more meal is being fed due to cows not being out. Extra farm support is needed around the yard and due to cattle being fed in houses, calves needed to be looked after and there's health issues arising too.
"With cattle spending more time indoors this spring, 23% of farms have seen animal health issues arise. Pneumonia and milk scour have been cited as the two main issues on farms this spring, but there has also been a rise in reported cases of milk fever and mastitis.
"Additionally, more farmers have begun to vaccinate for Bluetongue (BTV-3) due to growing concerns across the industry about the viral disease."
