Winter Feed Planning – Act Now to Avoid Shortfalls

Winter Feed Planning – Act Now to Avoid Shortfalls

Winter feeding can creep up quickly but this year, more than ever, leaving it too late could be costly. Careful planning now will help safeguard livestock performance and control costs over the months ahead.

Take Stock Early

The starting point is to take stock. But simply counting bales or estimating pits is not enough. A full forage analysis gives accurate figures for dry matter, energy and protein which is essential for building balanced rations.

This year, with silage made under very dry conditions, dry matter levels are often significantly higher than normal. While this may look positive on paper, it can mean reduced intakes if rations aren’t carefully balanced. Understanding actual quality is vital to avoid underfeeding.

Making the Most of Limited Forage

Where silage stocks are short, efficiency matters. Practical steps include:

• Ration balancing: Matching forage with the right concentrates avoids waste and ensures animals perform to their potential.
• Grouping stock: Prioritise younger, thinner, or high-demand cattle with higher-quality forage, while lower-priority stock can manage on restricted rations.
• Feed presentation: Chopping silage, mixing thoroughly and preventing spoilage all improve utilisation.

Even small improvements in forage efficiency add up when supplies are tight.

Barley – A Cost-Effective Energy Source

One advantage this year is the availability of cheap barley. At current prices, treated barley represents excellent value for money as an energy source and reduces reliance on purchased blends. . When rolled and treated correctly, barley  is highly digestible.Treating with ALpHA allows it to be fed at high levels with a low acidosis risk. This not only reduces ration cost but also helps stretch limited silage stocks, making ALpHA-treated Barley a versatile and valuable option in beef and dairy diets alike.

Monitor Stock Condition

Regular body condition scoring (BCS) provides a simple but powerful check on whether rations are working as intended.

• Dairy cows should be calving down at a score of around 2.5–3.0.
• Spring-calving sucklers should be in good condition heading into the housing period but must not get over-fat.
• Youngstock need steady growth rates to reach breeding or finishing targets on time.

Where stock are already behind target, they should be prioritised with better forage and additional concentrates. On the other hand, cattle in good condition can be managed on restricted diets to conserve forage supplies.

Act Early for Best Results

For farms facing shortfalls, the sooner additional feed is sourced the better. Prices and availability only move one way as winter progresses. Options include straights such as cereals, protein sources like rapeseed meal or alternative forages, depending on the system. Working with a nutritionist can help identify the most cost-effective mix for each farm situation and Norvite’s highly experience Technical Team works on the basis that forward planning is essential for successful winter feeding. By accurately assessing forage, making smart use of cereals and taking early action where gaps exist, farmers can protect both livestock and margins during what promises to be another testing winter.