Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the potential losses hidden within their herds this grazing season and make every kilo count while cattle are at grass.

This is especially important in the current market. While cattle prices remain strong by historical standards, current AHDB data shows GB deadweight prices are lower than this time last year, with steers down 54.2p/kg and heifers down 53.7p/kg.

AHDB’s latest market outlook also points to continued pressure on demand, with consumer spending remaining cautious. This means the focus for many beef businesses is not simply on producing more output, but on protecting margin by making every kilo sold as profitable as possible.

The cost of underperformance is becoming harder to ignore, says Euan Hart, Trade Team Leader at Crystalyx. Mr Hart explains there are many hidden losses that can quietly undermine productivity, reducing margins and the number of saleable kilograms:

“Empty cows, extended calving periods, and poor liveweight gain are often accepted as part of the system – ‘that’s what we always see’ – but many of these issues can be reduced through better foresight, nutrition and earlier intervention.

“Buying in more cows isn’t necessarily the answer,” says Mr Hart. “The bigger opportunity lies in making the most of the stock you have and controlling any losses hiding in plain sight.

“Why add another cow just for the chance of another calf, when there is often more value in improving performance from the cows already in the herd?”

Turnout is a key point in the season to take stock, adds Mr Hart. Ensuring that cattle are performing optimally from the start of the grazing season can help avoid setbacks later and ensure the best possible use of grazed grass.

“Once performance slips, it’s much harder to get it back,” he explains.

“The real value is in helping cattle at grass use forage more efficiently as early as possible to improve your chances of increased daily liveweight gain and improved calving rates.

“If you can increase from 80 calves per 100 cows to 90 calves from the same cows, you’ve got more saleable kilograms for close to the same input costs – this is where a forage-support feed lick Cattle Booster can help, supporting forage intake and digestibility at grass to fight these hidden losses.”

Mr Hart also emphasises the importance of tracking and using the right data to support decisions.

“Many farmers are already collecting comprehensive animal health data for their buyer audits or support schemes,” he says.

“To spot where losses might be occurring, it helps to use that data and focus on the figures that really drive performance and margin,” he says.

“Knowing where stock is performing well, and where there may be room for improvement, makes it easier for farmers to target support and achieve better outputs for essentially the same input costs.”