By Steven Eddie, ECV Nutritionist
With silage stocks low this year, we have been encouraging our customers to think about what is in the shed and the silage pit to get the most from winter feeding.
This year reminded us of the unpredictability of weather 'patterns' – and the knock-on effect it has on forage with the hot, dry summer resulting in reduced silage stocks across Scotland. First cuts of silage had decent nutrient values, but yields were down due to the dry conditions. Later cuts fared worse, many delaying mowing in hope that the crop would bulk up but the lack of rain meant swards shot, producing seed heads and reducing the feed value of the grass.
Maximising on the grain and straw in the shed with the right supplementary feeds has been key so silage is available when cattle most need it in the spring. Straw is an effective source of long fibre making it an excellent base for ruminant diets. While ammonia was once the popular treatment for straw, a combination of cost and the lack of contractors willing to do it has made way for the interesting development of molasses blends which we are seeing very good results from. When molasses is mixed with straw to improve intake and protein levels, it can replace up to half the silage requirement.
The key to successful supplementation is having a good source of fermentable energy (FME) paired with a compatible supply of effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP). When the supply of these is balanced and synchronised, it increases microbial protein production, which is important on two levels: to improve animal performance; and to utilise the ruminant's natural ability to produce microbial protein reduces the need for extra protein to be fed – and the costs associated with this.
Supplementing strategically
Molasses hits the sweet spot for both straw and grain, and for both beef and dairy cattle. The sucrose present in the sugar in the molasses is key to stimulating rumen activity. As a six-carbon sugar, it has a significant effect on fibre digestion and production of microbial protein. Sucrose fermentation also aids butyrate production which stabilises acid loading in the rumen and reduces the risk of acidosis.
When silage is short, this straw/molasses ration pays dividends. For feeding spring calving suckler cows, 10kg of grass silage can be substituted by 2.1kg of straw and 1kg of molasses. This means that for every four days the straw/molasses ration is fed, an additional day of winter forage is gained from your silage pit.
This allows silage to be saved and fed to higher priority stock such as growing cattle and lactating cows. This will save the stress in Spring when the cattle need the best nutrition.
You can maintain good body condition in spring calving suckler cows through the first half of the winter on mainly straw and molasses.
The molasses can be poured over the straw or incorporated into a total mixed ration (TMR) using a mixer wagon. Throughout the feeding period, the condition score of the group needs to be closely monitored and the ration adjusted to suit, taking care to ensure thin cows are removed from the group and fed accordingly. It's also important when feeding high quantities of straw in a suckler diet to also feed a high-quality mineral supplement, such as Suckler GP, as straw mineral content is low.
Grain feeding considerations
There has been a lot of grain cut this year at lower moistures and where rejected malting barley is being fed to livestock, farmers need to take into account that protein levels will be lower and there is a greater need for protein supplementation. The high protein content – as well as the dedusting properties - of molasses blends make them an ideal choice for high cereal diets.
Although there are merits in alternatives such as pot ale syrup, price, supply and consistency tend to fluctuate throughout the year. Nutritionally it also varies in analysis depending on the process at each distillery and it has a low sugar content so does not provide the same rumen stimulation. For us, regulated release molasses is the best and most consistent option for straw and grain treatment for modern beef and dairy systems.
Investment in the herd
We know there can be concern about the cost of supplementary feeds but nutrition is one of the most important investments to get the returns every successful herd needs to get healthy livestock and cows back in calf.
This year beef prices have been good and there will be some healthy gains which makes it an easier decision, but whatever the markets, getting the feed inputs right is a small investment for consistent long-term gain.
As well as healthy weight gain, tailoring nutrition can save overall on veterinary treatment, and it promotes good fertility, foetal growth and milk quality so you can get the best from the next generation of the herd.
Costs can also be managed by ensuring the supplementation is designed for the farm's feed needs, rather than a blanket approach that can be less effective and sometimes wasteful.
Weather and markets will always be unpredictable, but an advantage is that farmers can take control of their winter feeding strategies. Making supplementations now could stretch silage supplies by a month or more, and planning ahead will reduce the sleepless nights between now and the first flush of grass in the spring.