Supplementary feeding should be introduced only when grass availability drops below recommendations. Where there is enough high quality grass and additional feed is given, the stock will reduce their grass intake.
When sward growth does not meet stock needs or swards are very wet offer supplementary feeds to maintain performance. Depending on the class of stock and target live weight gain/milk yield these include straw, silage, hay or concentrates.
The substitution effect varies ; concentrates reduce grass intake less than forage and increase daily dry matter intakes .This is useful when swards are very wet or for high yielding cows or cattle that are to be finished quickly or a carrier needed for trace elements.
Supplementary forages can extend supplies of grazing or if grass quality is low.
Consider supplementary feeding when grass height/mass is below the recommended level for your stock. Discuss the type and amount of supplement with your adviser.
|
IBERS, Grassland Development Centre: 01970 823026 E-mail: GDCstaff@aber.ac.uk, Web page: www.grassdevcentre.co.uk GDC, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3EB
|