Feed [SS.IM.FD]

Outwintering spring calving suckler cows has many advantages.  It can reduce keeping costs, saving on bedding and feed if forage stocks are tight and free up shed space.  It can also help manage body condition, especially if cows are fit going into the winter.  However, careful management is required to ensure that cows do not lose too much condition before calving.

Analysis of this year’s beef and sheep silages through SRUC’s Analytical Laboratory show some very high dry matter silages, particularly for bales, and these can bring some challenges for managing…

Silage quality is variable, 1st cut beef and sheep pit silage is on average slightly higher in energy, however, is lower in crude protein compared to 2nd cut.  This is similar in 2nd cut bales which have also analysed higher in protein compared to 1st cut bales. 

Poppy Frater gives advice on how to plan for bale grazing livestock.

There are numerous forage crops that have a short growing period, that are ideal to sow following silage or early harvest, offering additional forage and nutrition for livestock in to the autumn and early winter.