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Beef: Feed & Forage

Resources for feeding cattle

Cattle Mineral Supplementation

Throughout the year and production cycle, the cow goes through different phases with varying nutritional requirements depending on her stage of production. Minerals are an essential part of a cow’s…

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Select by an area of interest

Spring Calving Nutrition and Management

Feeding a suckler cow throughout the year is the most expensive part of her production. Her progeny, the calf, is the only annual output generated,...

Read more >

Building Good Financial Habits With Cash Flow Forecasting

The statistics are clear; 80% of small businesses go under due to cash flow problems, not lack of profit. Building business resilience with good financial...

Read more >

Cattle Mineral Supplementation

Throughout the year and production cycle, the cow goes through different phases with varying nutritional requirements depending on her stage of production. Minerals are an...

Read more >

Minimising Dry Matter Losses in Clamped Silage

Dry matter (nutrient) losses from clamped silage can be on average 25%, representing a significant amount of feed value disappearing between cutting the grass and...

Read more >

How to reduce silage nutrient loss in the heat

The silage season is well underway with many farms having already successfully harvested a first cut and some even cutting or considering further cuts. However,...

Read more >

Minimising Dry Matter Losses in Clamped Silage

Making silage is an expensive operation on any livestock farm but it is still one of the most cost-effective feeds after grass. Maximising the production...

Read more >

Beef Finishing Systems

Taking cattle to finish can be one of the most expensive periods in the beef production system, with feed conversion efficiency reducing as cattle gain...

Read more >

Technical Note (TN761) Fodder Beet for Beef Systems

Fodder beet is the highest yielding crop for dry matter and energy, this is grazed successfully in livestock systems, but does require careful management for...

Read more >

Silage Clinic – Key Messages

Making quality silage – what are the key influencing factors? Tips for making quality silage and minimising nutritional losses were discussed at a recent FAS...

Read more >

Agribusiness News February 2023 – Input Costs: Feed & Forage Update

Silage analysis update Figure 1 shows the average of all silages received at the SRUC lab between July 22 – Jan 23, of 1st and...

Read more >

Protein Feed Prices Rising

While cereal prices have eased slightly, protein prices have risen, mainly due to the increase in soya but also due to limited short-term availability of...

Read more >

Winter Feeding Considerations for In-calf Heifers

Throughout winter, there are many stock classes to consider and nutrition  can prove to be challenging with shed space, feed availability and forage quality all...

Read more >

New Entrants – Getting Started with Rotational Grazing

Rotational grazing increases the grass ultilisation on farm and leads to greater production of meat, milk, and wool per hectare, while also reducing feed and...

Read more >

Winter Management for Calving Heifers at 3 years old

We revisit Billy Graham at Craigdarroch Farm as the heifers come down from the hill for scanning. We will discuss the pregnancy scanning results and...

Read more >

Silage Analysis Update 2022

The nutritional value of silage is determined by several factors such as grass variety, cutting date, weather, wilting period etc.  Therefore, silage should be analysed...

Read more >

Improve Your Grassland Productivity With Weed Control

In this video we hear Poppy Frater, Grassland Specialist at SAC Consulting, and Colin Taylor, Taylor Technologies, discuss two weeds most important to established grassland in...

Read more >

Reduce Risk Of Scald In Lambs This Season

Scald is caused by bacteria (Dichelobacter nodosus) in the grass and leads to damage to the soft tissue between the toes of lambs. It can...

Read more >

Ensiling Potatoes with Silage to Add Feed Value to the Pit

High input prices have prompted us to closely look at the cost of feed supply for next winter and one way to bulk up silage...

Read more >

Maximising Performance of Growing and Finishing Cattle

With exceptionally high feed costs this year it is vital that the target weight gain from a specific ration is being achieved. Any drop in...

Read more >

Improving Silage To Reduce Costs

Improving silage quality provides an alternative resource of nutrients to livestock that may have otherwise been supplied in concentrate feed. Ruminants have evolved to eat...

Read more >

Using Potatoes as an Alternative to Barley for Finishing Cattle

Stockfeed potatoes can be used as an alternative to expensive barley and are worth considering for feeding to finishing cattle to spin out home grown...

Read more >

Feeding Pre-Calving Minerals

An important factor in the pre-calving period is to ensure the cow is getting adequate minerals in her diet.  Mineral levels in UK silages are...

Read more >

Transitioning Off Fodder Beet

The importance of transitioning livestock on to fodder beet slowly, to allow the rumen bugs to adapt to the high sugar diet is well documented. ...

Read more >

Forage Crop Ground Preparation

Good ground preparation of forage crops is a large contributor to their yield potential, with a fine, firm seedbed, with the correct pH and nutrients...

Read more >

Magnesium Supplementation of Suckler Cows – Are You Covered?

As turnout approaches, now is a good time to reassess your mineral supplementation strategy for grass staggers prevention in the suckler herd (also known as hypomagnesaemia or grass tetany).  Whilst access to spring grass...

Read more >

Improving Baled Silage Quality: What’s it Worth?

When buying or selling silage bales, nutritional value is rarely taken into account, but the variation in quality can be huge.  Having an analysis to...

Read more >

The Importance Of Vitamins – Vitamin D

Vitamin D is critical for normal development and growth.  The primary function of vitamin D is to increase blood plasma calcium and phosphorous to a...

Read more >

Managing and Reducing Straw Wastage

With straw looking to be relatively scarce coupled with price variance across the regions this guide will help farmers better manage straw supplies and help...

Read more >

Keeping Finishing Cattle Clean this Winter

Ensuring cattle arrive for slaughter in a clean condition is crucial to reduce the risk of contamination within the processing plant and minimise the associated...

Read more >

Livestock Grazing Beet: Feat. Dr Jim Gibbs

The third and final podcast in our fodder beet for livestock series. This podcast focuses on the health of livestock grazing beet and we are...

Read more >

Managing Straw Supplies for the Winter

Malcolm Macdonald speaks to SAC beef consultants Robert Ramsay and Sarah Balfour about managing straw supplies this winter. With straw availability varying across the country...

Read more >

Ruminant Nutrition

Ever wondered what your animal requires and when?  The best way to feed them?  What minerals they need?  If so then this webinar is for...

Read more >

Forages and Feeds: Assessing Your Forage – Part 1

This video is the second in our winter feed planning series covering assessing your forage stocks and their quality, as well as what to do...

Read more >

Alternative Bedding

Bedding livestock on straw is common place on most farms in Scotland but straw is not the only option. 

Read more >

Wet Straw

Recent wet weather in some parts has seen straw in field stacks soaked by rainwater, bales immersed in water and even straw bales washed away...

Read more >

Rotational Grazing Vlog: Adapting grazing in cooler May conditions on Shetland

    Grass growth on Scholland Farm has been slow due to cool may conditions. Therefore, the ewe and lamb grazing has been adapted and...

Read more >

Nutritional Causes: Focus On Laminitis

Nutritional management has been identified as a key component in the development of laminitis, particularly in rations with a high level of starch resulting in...

Read more >

Handling And Stacking Silage Bales

When making silage bales it worth taking extra care around handling, wrapping and stacking of bales to avoid costly nutrient losses and some harmful moulds...

Read more >

Maximising The Power Of Culling As A Management Tool

Culling cattle out the system is a powerful tool, not only to improve herd performance but also reduce the risk of any animal welfare breakdowns...

Read more >

Growing And Finishing Cattle At Grass

Turning cattle out to grass is a welcome break from the winter feeding routine and frees up time for other activities on the farm, it...

Read more >

More in FAS Problem Solver

Select by an area of interest

Spring Calving Nutrition and Management

Feeding a suckler cow throughout the year is the most expensive part of her production. Her progeny, the calf, is the only annual output generated,...

Read more >

Building Good Financial Habits With Cash Flow Forecasting

The statistics are clear; 80% of small businesses go under due to cash flow problems, not lack of profit. Building business resilience with good financial...

Read more >

Cattle Mineral Supplementation

Throughout the year and production cycle, the cow goes through different phases with varying nutritional requirements depending on her stage of production. Minerals are an...

Read more >

Minimising Dry Matter Losses in Clamped Silage

Dry matter (nutrient) losses from clamped silage can be on average 25%, representing a significant amount of feed value disappearing between cutting the grass and...

Read more >

How to reduce silage nutrient loss in the heat

The silage season is well underway with many farms having already successfully harvested a first cut and some even cutting or considering further cuts. However,...

Read more >

Minimising Dry Matter Losses in Clamped Silage

Making silage is an expensive operation on any livestock farm but it is still one of the most cost-effective feeds after grass. Maximising the production...

Read more >

Beef Finishing Systems

Taking cattle to finish can be one of the most expensive periods in the beef production system, with feed conversion efficiency reducing as cattle gain...

Read more >

Technical Note (TN761) Fodder Beet for Beef Systems

Fodder beet is the highest yielding crop for dry matter and energy, this is grazed successfully in livestock systems, but does require careful management for...

Read more >

Silage Clinic – Key Messages

Making quality silage – what are the key influencing factors? Tips for making quality silage and minimising nutritional losses were discussed at a recent FAS...

Read more >

Agribusiness News February 2023 – Input Costs: Feed & Forage Update

Silage analysis update Figure 1 shows the average of all silages received at the SRUC lab between July 22 – Jan 23, of 1st and...

Read more >

Protein Feed Prices Rising

While cereal prices have eased slightly, protein prices have risen, mainly due to the increase in soya but also due to limited short-term availability of...

Read more >

Winter Feeding Considerations for In-calf Heifers

Throughout winter, there are many stock classes to consider and nutrition  can prove to be challenging with shed space, feed availability and forage quality all...

Read more >

New Entrants – Getting Started with Rotational Grazing

Rotational grazing increases the grass ultilisation on farm and leads to greater production of meat, milk, and wool per hectare, while also reducing feed and...

Read more >

Winter Management for Calving Heifers at 3 years old

We revisit Billy Graham at Craigdarroch Farm as the heifers come down from the hill for scanning. We will discuss the pregnancy scanning results and...

Read more >

Silage Analysis Update 2022

The nutritional value of silage is determined by several factors such as grass variety, cutting date, weather, wilting period etc.  Therefore, silage should be analysed...

Read more >

Improve Your Grassland Productivity With Weed Control

In this video we hear Poppy Frater, Grassland Specialist at SAC Consulting, and Colin Taylor, Taylor Technologies, discuss two weeds most important to established grassland in...

Read more >

Reduce Risk Of Scald In Lambs This Season

Scald is caused by bacteria (Dichelobacter nodosus) in the grass and leads to damage to the soft tissue between the toes of lambs. It can...

Read more >

Ensiling Potatoes with Silage to Add Feed Value to the Pit

High input prices have prompted us to closely look at the cost of feed supply for next winter and one way to bulk up silage...

Read more >

Maximising Performance of Growing and Finishing Cattle

With exceptionally high feed costs this year it is vital that the target weight gain from a specific ration is being achieved. Any drop in...

Read more >

Improving Silage To Reduce Costs

Improving silage quality provides an alternative resource of nutrients to livestock that may have otherwise been supplied in concentrate feed. Ruminants have evolved to eat...

Read more >

Using Potatoes as an Alternative to Barley for Finishing Cattle

Stockfeed potatoes can be used as an alternative to expensive barley and are worth considering for feeding to finishing cattle to spin out home grown...

Read more >

Feeding Pre-Calving Minerals

An important factor in the pre-calving period is to ensure the cow is getting adequate minerals in her diet.  Mineral levels in UK silages are...

Read more >

Transitioning Off Fodder Beet

The importance of transitioning livestock on to fodder beet slowly, to allow the rumen bugs to adapt to the high sugar diet is well documented. ...

Read more >

Forage Crop Ground Preparation

Good ground preparation of forage crops is a large contributor to their yield potential, with a fine, firm seedbed, with the correct pH and nutrients...

Read more >

Magnesium Supplementation of Suckler Cows – Are You Covered?

As turnout approaches, now is a good time to reassess your mineral supplementation strategy for grass staggers prevention in the suckler herd (also known as hypomagnesaemia or grass tetany).  Whilst access to spring grass...

Read more >

Improving Baled Silage Quality: What’s it Worth?

When buying or selling silage bales, nutritional value is rarely taken into account, but the variation in quality can be huge.  Having an analysis to...

Read more >

The Importance Of Vitamins – Vitamin D

Vitamin D is critical for normal development and growth.  The primary function of vitamin D is to increase blood plasma calcium and phosphorous to a...

Read more >

Managing and Reducing Straw Wastage

With straw looking to be relatively scarce coupled with price variance across the regions this guide will help farmers better manage straw supplies and help...

Read more >

Keeping Finishing Cattle Clean this Winter

Ensuring cattle arrive for slaughter in a clean condition is crucial to reduce the risk of contamination within the processing plant and minimise the associated...

Read more >

Livestock Grazing Beet: Feat. Dr Jim Gibbs

The third and final podcast in our fodder beet for livestock series. This podcast focuses on the health of livestock grazing beet and we are...

Read more >

Managing Straw Supplies for the Winter

Malcolm Macdonald speaks to SAC beef consultants Robert Ramsay and Sarah Balfour about managing straw supplies this winter. With straw availability varying across the country...

Read more >

Ruminant Nutrition

Ever wondered what your animal requires and when?  The best way to feed them?  What minerals they need?  If so then this webinar is for...

Read more >

Forages and Feeds: Assessing Your Forage – Part 1

This video is the second in our winter feed planning series covering assessing your forage stocks and their quality, as well as what to do...

Read more >

Alternative Bedding

Bedding livestock on straw is common place on most farms in Scotland but straw is not the only option. 

Read more >

Wet Straw

Recent wet weather in some parts has seen straw in field stacks soaked by rainwater, bales immersed in water and even straw bales washed away...

Read more >

Rotational Grazing Vlog: Adapting grazing in cooler May conditions on Shetland

    Grass growth on Scholland Farm has been slow due to cool may conditions. Therefore, the ewe and lamb grazing has been adapted and...

Read more >

Nutritional Causes: Focus On Laminitis

Nutritional management has been identified as a key component in the development of laminitis, particularly in rations with a high level of starch resulting in...

Read more >

Handling And Stacking Silage Bales

When making silage bales it worth taking extra care around handling, wrapping and stacking of bales to avoid costly nutrient losses and some harmful moulds...

Read more >

Maximising The Power Of Culling As A Management Tool

Culling cattle out the system is a powerful tool, not only to improve herd performance but also reduce the risk of any animal welfare breakdowns...

Read more >

Growing And Finishing Cattle At Grass

Turning cattle out to grass is a welcome break from the winter feeding routine and frees up time for other activities on the farm, it...

Read more >

Something else on your mind?