Insight Focus

Ruminant feeding is largely dependent on bulky feeds. These feeds take many forms to suit all seasons, but careful and skilled management of each is essential for the success and profitability of every livestock enterprise.

Components of Livestock Rations

There are many feedstuffs contained in the hugely variable formulation of livestock rations. The ‘bulky feeds’ contain higher levels of fibre and water, while ‘concentrate feeds’ include more proteins, minerals, vitamins and additives, with less fibre and water content.

Ruminants’ diets are primarily based on bulky feeds, with concentrates providing any additional needs.

The term ‘bulky feeds’ includes the likes of:

  • Grazed grass
  • Silage and conserved products
  • Roots and forage crops
  • Cereal straw

As discussed in previous articles, these make up an important part of any ruminant feeding regime.

Grazed Grass

As the basis of many ruminant diets, grazed grass can be the major nutrient provider for ruminants.

There are a multitude of factors that must be carefully assessed by farmers to ensure they achieve the best from their available grass acreage. The most important of these are the grass mix seeded and the growth stage of the sward when grazed.

During the early stages of seasonal growth, grass will be more digestible to livestock, with high water, sugar and protein content. Digestibility and voluntary intake decline as the grass grows, increasing stem tissue together with yield, while leaf tissue decreases.

The importance of good grass management is absolutely critical to success. From choosing the most appropriate grass varieties in the seed mix to careful growth stage monitoring for grazing, excellent management input should not be underestimated.

Silage

Silage is a mainstay of diets for the winter months when livestock are either housed or unable to graze the nutritious pastures of the summer months. Whether grass, whole-crop cereals or maize silage, the best silage requires very skilled management.

The importance of timing the growth stage when mowing and efficient clamping or baling of silage is vital for maximising the retention and subsequent availability of nutrients for livestock when fed in the months ahead.

Quick and airtight clamping is critical to begin the silage process, with additives aiding fermentation process efficiency.

It is extremely important to minimise exposure to the outside environment when using the face of any clamp. Heating of the face exposed to the elements will encourage moulds and mycotoxins, which can be very detrimental to animal health and thus enterprise output.

As a result, it is advisable to have samples of the silage analysed routinely, in addition to managing the likely variable nutritive value throughout the clamp.

Root Crops and Forage Crops

Root crops, such as turnips, swedes and potatoes, are very digestible as well as an excellent source of energy due to their high water and sugar (starch) content.

The high cost and logistics of harvesting make feeding root crops to housed animals difficult, but they are often eaten in the field.

Forage crops like kale and stubble turnips are a good feed during the autumn and winter months, although there are a number of associated issues that can prove harmful if fed in excess.

Cereal Straw

Cereal straw has low protein and energy content, with a slow rate of digestion. These factors make it a good supplement to rations, providing long fibre and aiding rumen function.

Dry cows requiring a high-bulk but low-energy ration benefit from straw feeding as part of their feeding regime.

Overall…

As the major component of ruminant feeding, ‘bulky feeds’ are variable as well as essential.

As the seasons change, so must the diet. Grass can be grazed from spring to autumn, but the housing of livestock or the dormant nature of grass through the winter months requires alternatives to fresh nutritious grass.

Whether a goat in full lactation chomping her silage, a fattening lamb munching root crops in the cold fields or a dry cow crunching on cereal straw, every enterprise has its own unique needs for maximum success.