Winter Planning

Image from the Daily Mail

Now we are in August, nights will start drawing in and thoughts should be cast towards planning for the winter.

• Evaluate benefits of catch crops for winter grazing such as Swift for sowing post harvest.
• It is forecast that straw may be limited this winter due to an increased volume being used for renewable energies, evaluate other options now e.g. sawdust, woodchip, wood fines, peat, etc.
• Analyse your silage 7-8 weeks after being pitted or baled, to plan winter rations for sheep enterprises. Remember if you have good quality silage e.g. 11+ ME you can make significant savings through targeted DUP feeding.

Kirsten Williams, kirsten.williams@sac.co.uk