Advice for livestock farmers suffering from grass shortage

This winter has been a long and cold one and with that has brought the issue that many farmers are facing a grass shortage, as well as depleting supplies in forage due to a poor season last year. This wet weather has also meant that farmers have had problems getting on to the fields to spread muck which will have an impact on the soil nutrient levels.

Experts have stated that the grass growth this year will be two to three weeks behind that of normal years, and due to this, they are being advised to take steps to help ease the challenges ahead and the impacts these could have on the farming business.

Many specialists are advising that young stock should be put out to grass as soon as the land dries out enough as this is healthier for them, and there is less chance of disease spreading through the herd. This will also mean that farmers will save money on bedding (straw costs are also extremely high this year due to the wet weather).

If the issues arising are due to low stored feed supply, then it is recommended that the breeding stock take priority, possibly meaning that store cattle are sold or their growth is compromised for a short period by leaving them out in the field with lower quality forage.

There are also things to look out for once the grass does start growing. For example, magnesium supplements will be important to prevent milk tetany, caused by a low level of blood magnesium. These supplements can be given through minerals placed in water troughs, for example.

It has been found that those dairy farmers who are suffering the most are those who had wet conditions in the second half of last year and so were forced to take later silage cuts.

It is being suggested that these farmers should be saving these low supplies of good quality forage for their milking cows and the others in the herd should be fed lower quality forage or clamp silage. This will mean that the farmers secure the most milk possible, meaning the shortage has as little impact as possible on the financials of the farm.

Supplementation will also be an important aspect if the herd is not getting the correct minerals from the forage. For example, those cattle that are being fed lower quantity forage will need supplements that are high in fibre, as well as being low in starch (high starch products can increase the risk of acidosis).

In the coming weeks we will be looking forward to the weather becoming drier and warmer, which will create more favourable conditions for cattle, allowing them out onto the fields, as well as encouraging the grass growth.

Rosie Davis, Fisher German LLP