Farmers are being reminded that grazing conditions are still far from ideal, and livestock nutrition must remain a priority, despite recent glimmers of ‘spring-like’ weather.

Dr. Richard Wynn, head of technical at Crystalyx, advises that farmers should look beyond grazing to support their livestock's nutritional needs.

Cold nights and very changeable weather continue to impact grass growth which means forage quality will likely be insufficient to meet the energy and protein requirements of livestock, especially freshly calved cows.

“Grass has not been growing as quickly as it should be, and because young, leafy growth hasn’t really had a chance to establish yet, it’s not as nutritious as we’d like,” says Dr Wynn.

“This could lead to challenges for livestock as their nutritional needs aren’t fully met.”

Dr. Wynn says that farmers must consider the broader nutritional picture, beyond simply turning livestock out to grass.

“I appreciate silage supplies will be getting very tight, but it’s been really wet up until recently. While the ground is starting to dry out and grass growth is accelerating in some areas, it's still lagging in others. Rushing to get cattle out too early could result in pastures getting poached up, which will make it even more challenging to achieve decent grass growth going forwards.

“It’s important to wait for the right conditions, check grass covers and ground conditions to ensure the health of both the animals and your land.

“It will be especially important to make sure you get your nutrition right for cows going out with calves at foot, because the cow has got to fuel the calf too.”

As farmers start planning for turnout, Dr. Wynn stresses that a holistic nutritional strategy, which includes supplementation is key.

“Rather than looking for a quick fix, farmers need to ensure that livestock consistently receive the right balance of energy and protein to support health and productivity, evaluating all of your possible nutritional sources in the round.

“Supplementary feeding is important, and I would suggest that farmers need to think carefully about what they need to provide.

“A bolus is a great insurance policy for ensuring your stock have all the right trace elements, but if your stock needs extra energy and protein due to poor grass growth or forage quality, you need to consider other forms of supplementation.  

“A free-access feed lick bucket can work as a reliable supplement during these key periods for herds.”

With winter forage supplies running low, Dr. Wynn recommends that farmers carefully monitor their animals’ nutritional intake and supplement as needed, depending on their farm system. Rather than relying on routine assumptions, he stresses the importance of at least using a mineral analysis of silage or grazing to guide decisions:

“Every farm has unique needs - the key is to assess the situation thoroughly. By testing, farmers can avoid guess work, making sure their feed strategy is tailored to the specific needs of their animals. Using this data ensures money is well-spent on what will actually deliver in terms of improving animal health and productivity. Consult with your vet, nutritionist or supplier and act accordingly,” he says.

“Don’t just feed the minimum. A carefully managed approach will pay off in the long run.”