The widespread dry weather experienced across the country since early spring has impacted forage growth significantly leading to a short fall of required forage volumes for the winter months.

With its reliance on grass and grazing, the organic sector has suffered more than most and conserved forage stocks have started to be used without any notable grass growth since early July.

But as we look to the winter, with the organic milk price the highest it has potentially ever been, the buoyancy in the market needs to be optimised.

ForFarmers Organic and Grazing Commercial Manager Ben Trott says: "It is a real double edge sword. The organic milk price is at a high with strong demand, with supply falling short. Organic dairy producers should be pushing for more production, but it isn't that easy this year."

Ben offers some advice. He says: "As a starting point, it is really important organic dairy farmers do a proper forage budget, to work out what is available and plan around that.

"Once the farm's individual forage stocks are established, we can start to look at alternatives. Forage analysis is also important as quality needs to be taken into account when making plans."

But with very limited organic forage stocks located in pockets across the country, availability cannot supply the whole market. Neither are organic farmers in a position where they have multiple options of alternative feeds.

Ben says: "There isn't an abundance of moist feeds like on the conventional side. There are very few options which can be utilised as forage alternatives or extenders.

"There is also the need for organic cows to be fed a diet where forage accounts for a minimum of 60% of their dry matter intake. We can push up the concentrate feed rate but not in isolation from the forage.

"And unlike many conventional producers who will be relying on bulk from this year's maize crop to fill the gap, there just isn't the supply for the organic sector. Organic producers will need to rely on grass and wholecrop silages. There may also be some fodder beet available."

In response to the extreme conditions experienced this year, Defra is offering derogations to allow organic non-productive stock to be fed conventional forage, based on need and examined on a case-by-case basis. A number of criteria must be met by the farmer for his certifier to support his application for the derogation.

Ben says: "The advice is to plan now for the winter ahead. Make sure you have alternatives in place now rather than waiting to get to Christmas before addressing the problem. I would advise organic farmers to consider planting root crops to give a late bite to keep some stock outside grazing. This might be turnips or forage rape if sown quickly now."

Request a ForFarmers forage guide today to assess your options – www.forfarmers.co.uk/promotions/request-a-forage-guide