The right feed at the right time: Setting your herd up for performance and fertility
The feeding of fresh dairy cows, both indoors and at grass, has a huge bearing on subsequent herd fertility, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.
The last week has continued to bring terrible farming weather for the month of March, and it continues to prevent animals from getting out grazing full-time or, in most cases, not grazing even for a few hours. No spring crops have been planted, and with so many not getting much winter crops in, there is a lot of catching up to do.
A point of note around crop production is the anticipated 50,000 acres of cereal crops not expected to be planted for this autumn harvest. If this is the reality, then there will be a significant shortage of straw next winter. Plans will need to be made to address this on all livestock farms. It is something I hope to revisit as the year advances.
