Farmers are advised to get one step ahead and assess their forage stock now, as experts predict many could be left with forage shortages this winter following a wet spring and mixed summer. 

Speaking on the Mole Valley Farmers' Podcast, nutritionist Dr Kerensa Hawkey and Head of Forage and Grassland Agronomy Lisa Hambly explained how farmers should take action to overcome any shortages and that leaving it until the winter could be a costly risk. 

Ms Hambly said: "There is a window of opportunity right now that farmers can take to address any forage shortages. Have those conversations and think about optimising what you are doing and do it now rather than wait until the winter when everyone else will be looking." 

Forage stocks are expected to be down in many areas following the second consecutive poor forage growing year. Dr Hawkey said: "Stocks are tight anyway and people fed more from their reserves across the winter, so there's just not the spare forage on farms." 

Added to that was a wet spring and an extremely dry start to the summer. Maize, in many areas, has had a difficult start, with the experts predicting yields down on some farms by as much as 30%.  

Both presenters stressed the importance of farmers accurately measuring their clamps and forage stocks, the amount of stock that needs feeding and calculating a realistic view of how long forage will last. Dr Hawkey said: "This must take into account all stock from dry cows, milking cows, youngstock, any sheep or other animals that eat forage, too." 

The experts discussed various options farmers could take to overcome shortages. They included:  

1. Looking for opportunities by walking the fields. Ms Hambly said: "If you've got bare fields, that is a fab opportunity. Warm soils and moisture provide good crop growing conditions, so it could provide an ideal opportunity to establish grass or a brassica. Also, be prepared to put a grass crop in after maize. You can just drive through with the seed; you don't need to plough," she added.  
2. Outwintering youngstock. Dr Hawkey reminded farmers considering outwintering to feed youngstock enough to maintain growth rates and reduce any metabolic diseases at calving. "Youngstock are the future of your herd, so you need to look after them," she said. 
3. Feeding youngstock straw with a protein supplement, such as high protein molasses, instead of feeding grass silage. Dr Hawkey added: "Protein is important for youngstock to grow frame. Farmers also need to feed enough physically effective fibre, ensuring an adequate forage to concentrate ratio. If you don't feed enough forage, then the rumen won't work properly and can lead to acidosis." 
4. Consider feeding forage extender products. Examples include blends and nuts and moist feeds. Dr Hawkey said: "One kilo of concentrate can replace 3kgs of silage. If you add that up across a 200-cow herd over a month, you can save a lot of forage."  
5. Optimize grass by overseeding and consider taking extra grass silage cuts this autumn if conditions allow. 
6. Use a good quality silage additive to minimise dry matter (DM) losses in the clamp. 
7. Use a grain treatment such as Maxammon to increase the protein content of wholecrop. Dr Hawkey said: "Stable treated wholecrop could balance out poorer maize. It can also reduce the need for bought-in protein and is easy to handle on farm." Caustic-treated wheat can also improve digestion by creating a higher pH and providing a high-energy feed for early lactation cows. However, both must be fed as part of a balanced diet. 

Mole Valley Farmers can help you look at the agronomy and nutrition of your herd side by side. Get in touch with one of the team today by phoning the Feed Line on 01566 780261 or the Grassland & Forage Line on 01769 576232.