What are the forage alternatives for farmers this winter?

With forage stocks under pressure following a challenging growing season, many livestock farmers will be looking at how to stretch existing supplies and fill any gaps before winter. The starting point shouldn't be “what forage can I buy?”, but “how much forage do I actually need?”

Before making purchasing decisions, farmers should complete a simple forage budget, comparing what is available with what livestock are likely to require over winter.

Start by assessing current stocks of silage, hay, haylage, straw and any forage crops. Where possible, measure stocks and use dry matter analysis rather than relying solely on bale numbers or fresh weight.

Then estimate livestock requirements based on:

• Number and type of animals
• Expected housing or feeding period
• Stage of production and performance
• Forage quality
• Likely wastage

This will show whether there is a genuine deficit and, importantly, how big that deficit is.

Once the shortfall is known, farmers can consider whether it is more cost-effective to buy additional forage, introduce alternative feeds, extend grazing, reduce demand through changes to the livestock system, or use a combination of approaches.

Good-quality hay and haylage are likely to be in demand this winter, particularly where farmers have already used some of their normal winter stocks.

When buying forage, quality is important. A tonne of poor-quality, mature forage is not equivalent to a tonne of good-quality forage, so consider dry matter, energy and protein content, as well as price.

Where possible, forage analysis can help determine how purchased forage fits into the ration.

Wholecrop wheat, barley or oats could provide an option for stretching limited grass silage supplies.

Wholecrop can provide energy and fibre, although nutritional value depends on the cereal, harvest stage and preservation.

Farmers should compare wholecrop on a dry matter and nutritional basis, rather than simply looking at price per tonne.

Where available, maize silage can provide a valuable source of energy and help replace some of the energy normally supplied by grass silage.

However, it isn't a straightforward replacement for every livestock class. Its high energy content means diets need to be matched to animal requirements, and additional protein may be needed. It is likely to have greatest value for higher-demand animals, while lower-demand stock may require a different balance of forage and supplements.

Straw could become increasingly valuable for stretching limited supplies of higher-quality forage.

However, straw isn't a direct replacement for silage. Its low energy and protein content means it needs to be incorporated into a balanced ration.

For lower-demand cattle, good-quality straw can provide useful structural fibre and help extend available forage.

Where crops are already established, fodder beet, kale, forage rape, stubble turnips and swedes can provide valuable winter grazing or contribute to winter rations.

These crops can reduce reliance on conserved forage, particularly as part of an outwintering system.

They need to be managed carefully, with gradual introduction, appropriate supplementary fibre and consideration of soil conditions and poaching risk.

For next year's planning, forage crops could also help diversify forage production and reduce reliance on conserved grass alone.

If rainfall allows grass growth to recover, stockpiling or deferred grazing could provide another opportunity to reduce winter forage demand.

Rather than harvesting every available hectare, some grass could be allowed to accumulate for later grazing. The opportunity will depend on farm type, soil, weather, grass growth and livestock requirements.

Where forage is particularly tight, farmers could consider whether concentrates or suitable feed co-products can help address part of the nutritional deficit.

This isn't about replacing forage entirely but using available feeds strategically to make limited forage go further.

Compare options based on cost per unit of nutrition, including dry matter, energy, protein and transport costs, rather than simply £/tonne.

For farmers facing a forage shortage, early budgeting is one of the most valuable tools available.

Once the size of the shortfall is known, there are several levers to consider: buying forage, using alternative forage sources, incorporating straw or other feeds, making greater use of grazing, changing the ration or, where appropriate, reviewing livestock numbers.

With demand for forage likely to be high across the UK and availability potentially limited from Ireland and mainland Europe, leaving purchasing decisions until winter could reduce the options available.

The aim isn't necessarily to find a one-for-one replacement for grass silage. It is to build a realistic winter-feeding plan around the forage and feed resources available, while matching them to livestock requirements and protecting animal performance and farm finances.