Brian Reidy: Growth and weather need to pick up with grass growth below norms

As it does inevitably every year, growth will take off, and you need to identify when that occurs and act on it rapidly, and consider baling surplus grass as soon as possible, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

While we can have no influence on the weather, we can be set up for when it improves by having sufficient nitrogen out.

Well, so far it seems 2026 has decided to skip spring. Grass growth is still well below seasonal norms as I write — the rain is lashing down outside. By the forecast, it looks like it will settle beyond the coming weekend. 

As we all know, when it does settle, it is always amazing to watch how quickly grass growth takes off when air and soil temperatures rise, and ground conditions dry up.