Let deferred grazing help reduce winter feed costs

摘要

Grazing cows and heifers on grassland set aside in August for winter pasture can significantly reduce feeding costs if the condition of animals can be maintained from grass alone. According to Liz Genever, EBLEX sheep and beef scientist, deferred grazing costs in the region of 6p/kg of DM while silage costs between 12p-14p/kg of DM. "Deferred grazing can significantly reduce winter feed costs and as input costs are increasing farmers are revisiting this as a way of keeping cows out for longer," saysDr Genever. "The quality should be a similar level to a standing crop of hay with the advantage being that you don't have the cost of conserving the forage because it is grazed in situ."