Winter ended tough, and spring started warm for many dairy and beef producers across the Southwest. The season outlook pointed this way early with below-median rainfall and higher temperatures predicted across the state. For a lot of properties, that's exactly what's played out.
What You’re Seeing on Farm
A dry run through late winter means pastures are heading into spring well behind where they should be. Spring is normally when Southwest farms build their feed wedge and get silage and hay cut. This year many producers face slower pasture growth, a shorter growing window and lighter fodder yields. That puts pressure on hay stocks that were already carried through winter, and it pushes up demand for good-quality roughage just when supply is tight. For some, there may still be hay in the shed from last year, but this will go quickly if hay and silage yields fall short. Unless there are good rains in the next few weeks, it is likely that there could be an increase in demand for good-quality fodder.
It is going to be important to do a good feed budget to identify any shortfalls in hay and silage. Early purchases to fill a feed gap are often cheaper than leaving it to later on when everyone is looking for the same limited feed.
The normal solution is to look for hay. Last year’s pasture and cereal hay is often the first option. Often it is untested, but people still buy it because they want quantity, to “fill the cows up”.
For dairy herds, the risk is a decline in milk production and cow condition during peak lactation. For beef producers, it's less weight gain on young stock and difficulty keeping breeders in condition through joining. It also raises the hard question of whether to buy in expensive hay, destock early, or find another way to fill the gap.
Milne Feeds would like to introduce to you a new alternative– Milne EasyFibre Oaten Hay Extender Pellet. It comes in a 9mm pellet and has been designed to supply a consistent 9% CP and 9 ME quality feed source. These specifications are slightly higher than the “average” tested oaten hay and they are consistent.
The pellet has been designed as an alternative to oaten hay and to allow you to make your home-produced fodder to go further. Depending on how short you are of fodder, the Oaten Hay Extender could be fed at 20 – 50% of your fodder ration.
If you roll your hay and silage out in the paddock, the pellet could be fed on top of a rolled-out hay or silage. Alternatively, being a 9mm pellet, it could be fed on dry, hard ground, or dry pasture, alongside the hay or silage.
If using a TMR wagon, simply add it as a percentage of the fodder contribution, based on the amount of home fodder you must get through to the break of the season next year.
Key Benefits
Consistent quality: 9% CP, 9MJ/kg DE, 60% NDF, so you know what your stock are getting, unlike variable, bought-in hay.
Less waste: pellets reduce the trampling and spoilage losses common with baled hay.
Easy handling: bulk truck loads, suits in-shed feeders, trailers or troughs.
Suits both dairy and beef: mix with EasyBeef, hay and pasture for beef cattle, or include as 60% of the fibre component in dairy rations.
Planning Ahead
The earlier you plan your feed budget for spring and summer, the more options you'll have. Work out how much fodder you have on hand, what your stock will need through to the autumn break, and where the shortfall sits. If you already know that you will be short of fodder, it could be good insurance to get a load of Milne EasyFibre Oaten Hay Extender now.
Milne EasyFibre Oaten Hay Extender pellet fills the coming fodder gap most producers will face. It's the perfect product to extend your silage and hay stocks and we encourage producers to START EARLY. Playing the energy catch-up game requires more feed to create a positive energy balance for animals that have already begun to lose weight.
Talk to Milne Feeds’ beef and dairy manager, Jonno Langan, on 0407 766 444, about how the Milne EasyFibre Oaten Hay Extender Pellet could fit into your feeding program this season.
