When it comes to feed, budget for a late spring

MOST farmers have a reasonably good supply of winter feed. Budget for a fairly late spring, like the last few years.

If we get an early one, spare silage is better than money in the bank. If winter forage is scarce, the best option is often to sell surplus stock.

If filling the winter feed gap, the options are different to last year, when concentrates were cheap and forage was scarce and dear. Some type of forage feed will generally be better value than concentrates this year, but prices can vary from area to area.

If forage is being transported long distances, it adds a lot to the cost.

If purchasing baled silage, make sure its quality is properly assessed, because bad silage is useless, and can be dangerous.

If purchasing concentrate feed to stretch available forage, its value should be compared with barley. Over 50 years ago, the term “barley unit value” was used to compare feeds. This term went out of use until about 10 years ago, when it returned as UFL, giving barley a value of 1 UFL (fresh weight) on an energy basis. Other cereals have a similar energy value, and 10% to 11% protein.