Buffer feeding: future-proofing milk and fertility

We have had a slow start to the year, but higher temperatures and a run of drier days have lifted grass growth above 30kg/day and improved ground conditions. Recent cow performance has been supported by good-quality grass and silage, alongside a consistent level of concentrate. Nutrition does not need to be complicated; with accurate feed analysis and rations matched to demand, cows respond with milk, condition, and efficiency.
As breeding begins on many farms, consistency is critical. Grass growth and weather can change quickly, so the priority is to keep feed inputs stable and protect daily energy intake through both diet quantity and quality. When energy intake is maintained, cows are more likely to hold body condition, cycle consistently, and go in calf. In practice, fed energy either supports milk solids and condition, or it is lost through poorer digestion and higher nutrient excretion. This can be alleviated through a correctly balanced diet, but energy shortfalls typically show up as falling milk solids or loss of condition, both costly to correct and likely to reduce conception rates.
A planned move to grass often involves stepping down silage and concentrate, and this works best when grass supply and utilisation are reliable. The same planning is needed when conditions tighten, and cows must be brought back in, or when reduced growth or poorer grazing threatens intake. As a rule of thumb, concentrate can typically be reduced to 0.22kg once cows are out by day, and to 0.11kg once cows are out full-time. If you deviate significantly, it usually indicates additional forage or buffer feed is needed to maintain intakes and performance.
Buffer (supplementary) feeding is likely to become more important in grass-based systems as seasonal patterns shift and year-to-year variability increases. Commonly cited trends include:

• Longer growing seasons;
• Higher rainfall in autumn, winter and spring;
• Higher and milder average temperatures;
• Lower rainfall during summer months;
• More intense rainfall events rather than steady, gradual falls.

The practical outcome and what will become the ‘norm’ moving forward is longer periods when supplementation is needed, either because grass supply is insufficient or is restricted by ground or weather conditions. Planning buffer feeding in advance and securing feed early supports smoother management, protects milk output and fertility, and helps control the cost of extended supplementation. Silage quality will be central to making buffer feeding cost-effective. To achieve consistently higher-quality silage, focus on the basics: reseed where needed, pre-grazing, target earlier cutting dates, and improve clamp or bale management to reduce losses. An effective silage inoculant should be standard practice to support fermentation, preserve feed value, and improve feeding efficiency.