Dealing with Weather  and Feeding

Recent weather patterns have had a major influence on grazing management across farms, with conditions best described as ‘stop/start’. While some milder spells have allowed stock back out to grass, frequent rainfall and colder nights have interrupted ground conditions, limiting grazing days and increasing pressure on farm infrastructure. This inconsistency has made it difficult for a lot of farmers to fully capitalise on early spring grass, despite improving grass growth rates on paper. Utilisation remains the challenge where wet soils reduce trafficability, forcing cows to be housed or restricted to short grazing bouts. Where cows are turned out, poaching risk is high, particularly on heavier land. As a result, intakes from grass have been lower than expected for the time of year.

Despite these challenges, milk production figures have remained strong on many farms. Milk volumes and solids have held up well in February in the face of silage and concentrate feeding. However, there is a danger in becoming complacent based on current results alone. Great milk fat and protein percentages over the last few weeks will be replaced with more normalised figures by the middle of the month. The energy from body condition loss has driven these milk solids over the last few weeks and, in the coming weeks, this will cease and you will begin to see a true reflection of the energy and intake of the diet manifested in the milk solids figure. For some, this will be a normal level of fat and protein but for others it will be much lower where energy intake has been insufficient. Milk protein is often the first indicator of underfeeding, followed by a drop in milk fat if rumen function is compromised. Early alarm bells now are low milk urea’s around the country and, while we might be feeding the correct protein percentage in the concentrate, we might not be feeding the required quantity.

The challenge for farmers is to strike the right balance between maximising grass use and protecting performance. While early turnout remains a key objective, grass alone is not enough under current conditions. Concentrate feeding should be adjusted to reflect actual grass intake, not grass availability. Where cows are grazing for limited hours or are being housed intermittently, meal levels need to be maintained or even increased to avoid energy deficits.

Buffer feeding will continue to play an important role. High-quality silage offered at the right time and level can support intakes without compromising appetite for grass. Splitting grazing allocations, using on–off grazing, and protecting key paddocks for later rounds are all practical tools that can help manage both cows and ground conditions during this unsettled period.

Ultimately, the next three to four weeks are critical. The weather may improve, but cow demand will continue to rise regardless. Feeding decisions made now will determine not only milk solids in March, but overall lactation performance and fertility for the year ahead. Supporting cows through peak, rather than chasing grass at all costs, will pay dividends when conditions stabilise and grazing truly takes off.