STRETCH out silage stocks and don't run out - that's the advice of animal nutrition specialists Frank Wright Ltd as wet weather and foot and mouth restrictions delay the turn-out of the nation's dairy herd.
The company's technical advisor, Cara Freeston-Smith, has issued a warning that any sudden change in diet could have adverse effects on herd performance.
She said: "It is essential to start reducing the amount of silage being fed to avoid running out altogether. This must be done gradually since any sudden change in diet will result in rumen upsets, poor performance and reduced fertility," she says.
She suggests that a dairy cow currently receiving 10kg of silage a day could have this reduced to 5kg, with the addition of 3kg of straw to maintain effective fibre intake and an extra 3kg of compound feed to balance protein and energy levels.
Updated: 08:53 Thursday, April 12, 2001
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