MILK FROM FORAGE
Home grown feed is the cheapest feed available to farmers. Hardly a revelation but as farm inputs continue to rise the drive for milk from forage becomes a more crucial metric. Every additional litre from forage could be worth up to 20p per cow per day, or £600 per month for every 100 cows in the herd. Historically the rule of 1,2 and 4 was what made milk from forage so relevant, with grazed grass being the cheapest feed (represented by 1), ensiled forage being twice the cost (represented by 2) and purchased feed being the most expensive (represented by 4). Even with the limitations of grazing and waste in the form of rejection, the low-cost nature of grazing makes it a common practice. With changes to pricing of farm inputs (particularly fertiliser) these numbers have become less clear as purchased feed has increased by around 25-30%, however fertiliser has increased by over 100%. Whilst grazed grass will still be the cheapest feed to grow and produce, the cost effect of fertiliser in particular has reduced the cost differential between concentrates and ensiled forage in particular (especially silages with a low fertiliser requirement like maize silage). With this financial effect in mind forage utilisation becomes an even greater metric when making decisions for the coming season. In systems that utilise grazing, the question needs to be asked about grazing strategy and whether it allows optimal utilisation. Grass grown with fertiliser is no longer a cheap option so a potential unutilised “waste” of 50% can’t be overlooked.
wynnstay.co.uk
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