Survey reveals 62% of beef farmers goal to cut back enter prices by extending grazing

Manufacturing prices see beef producers aiming to make extra use of forage, however warned to not over-estimate feed values

A brand new survey compiled by KW Feeds reveals 62% of responding beef producers are aiming to make the most of extra grazing and make extra use of forage to try to management feed prices, however goal to take action utilizing much less fertiliser.

The survey, performed amongst each beef and dairy producers, requested respondents about their considerations with enter prices, with 64% aiming to make use of much less fertiliser this yr, however 68% anticipating to utilise the identical quantity of forage. Not one of the respondents plan to make use of extra fertiliser.

Simply over half (52%) plan to increase their forage with feeds, with the bulk (78%) moist feeds.

“The hovering manufacturing and enter prices have put extra strain than ever earlier than on beef producers to regulate feed and enter prices, with many seeking to prolong the grazing season and make extra use of forage,” says Georgie Croxford, head of ruminant technical at KW Feeds.

Nonetheless, in line with Ms Croxford, feeding beef animals at grass introduces a distinct sequence of challenges, not least estimating grass dietary worth and provide, to take care of development charges.

“Too typically the will to use low-cost grass results in over-estimates of its feed worth and dry matter consumption, resulting in lowered liveweight achieve,” she says.

“You will need to be practical about what could be achieved from grazed grass alone. It’s totally comprehensible that producers wish to make the most of extra grazing and prolong using forage,” says Ms Croxford.

“The hazard is just too many will develop into over-reliant on comparatively low-digestibility grass, which can’t be transformed into liveweight achieve as effectively as the most effective dry, moist and liquid feeds,” she provides.

Ms Croxford says complementing decrease feed worth feeds with the most effective worth alternate options able to lifting nutrient density, rising palatability, driving consumption and decreasing sorting is not going to solely improve development charges, but additionally lower the associated fee per kg liveweight achieve.

“The bottom line is to feed what you want. Make greatest use of the feeds obtainable by combining them into extremely environment friendly, excessive worth feeding programs. Failing to take action can add important feed prices per kg liveweight achieve,” says Ms Croxford.

“As our producers clearly recognise, moist feeds add palatability to rations, which can assist carry intakes. The excessive power moist distillery feed C*Traffordgold can promote very environment friendly development by supplying each power as digestible fibre, plus moisture to extend ration palatability,” says Ms Croxford.

“The survey clearly underlines producer attitudes to elevated enter prices, and our recommendation is to talk to your nutritionist to be sure you are making probably the most out of grazed grass and make extra use of forage. Don’t over-estimate the feed worth of grass and dry matter intakes,” she concludes.