Feeding for fertility when we're all stuck indoors

Many farms had banked on early turnout to grass before all their cows had calved, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Many farms had banked on early turnout to grass before all their cows had calved, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Has there ever been a more challenging winter/spring for livestock farmers. The springs of 2013 and 2018 were hardly as bad as what we are experiencing, and it feels like it hasn’t stopped raining since last July, and most herds are now heading for six months indoors. Fodder stocks are disappearing rapidly, and options for feeding stock are becoming limited. 

Some have had no choice but to let animals out and accept that they will do damage. The welfare of animals is very important to farmers and for many a review of stock numbers, facilities and forage production will be required after this wet spring.