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Alternative winter systems to housing cattle and sheep
Find out about outwintering, deferred grazing and outdoor straw pads. Read our tips and advice, including how to manage environmental impact.
Outwintering livestock on brassica and forage crops
Benefits of outwintering include reduced feed and building costs. However, it is not ‘low labour’ and requires careful management.
Manage the environmental impact of alternative winter systems
Planning, flexibility and backup plans are key to managing environmental impact.
Read about managing environmental impact
Deferred grazing/all-grass wintering
Ideal for extending your grazing period through winter, at the end of autumn, or in early spring. Careful planning can save £15/ewe.
Find out about Deferred grazing/all-grass wintering
Outdoor straw pads
Design and management of straw pads, including expected straw requirements and space requirements for cattle.
Find out about outdoor straw pads
Useful links
If you want to increase flexibility in your system, you should consider:
Livestock and the arable rotation
Improving pasture for Better Returns
If you would like to order a hard copy of Improving pasture for Better Returns or Livestock and the arable rotation please contact publications@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 799 0069.
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