At animal level, the most-limiting factor in beef production is energy intake. Cattle grazing at present have ad lib access to energy, but performance is limited by their capacity to eat and digest grass. In addition, the feeding value of grazed grass is not constant throughout the year. Even with the best grassland management regimes, grass will begin to lose its power as autumn creeps in.

Beef stock targeting a grass finish may not be able to afford a check so late on in the system.

To combat the decline in grass quality and maintain good weight gains, one option is to introduce a simple energy concentrate to grazing cattle. Protein will not be an issue - a simple rolled barley/molasses (95:5%) mix will suffice. The bank need not be broken with high spec rations, we are simply trying to infuse the animal’s diet with extra energy.

Ideally, a beef animal’s best performance comes right before slaughter. At this point, the beast is finished growing frame and a high-proportion of the weight laid down is going into the carcase. It is also the period where fat scores are clocked up. It pays to get energy into the animal here.

If supplementing, offer two kilograms initially and build up to three or four kilograms. With a gradual build up, feeding four kg once a day is fine.

Targeting meals

Nine times in ten, a traditional-breed heifer or bullock in a minimalistic system – low input, low output – will achieve an acceptable carcass fat score from grass alone. The carcase won’t set records, but neither will the feeding bill.

However, a lot of continental type animals will struggle to finish in a grass-only diet, even after a good grazing season. Consider splitting groups based on visual fleshiness in the coming weeks. Stronger cattle, in good condition should get away without any meals. Look for tail head surrounded with fat; there should be a visually smooth transition from rump to tail. Also, full loins and rippling fat over the ribs are tell-tale signs that the animal isn’t far away.

Meal should be targeted toward cattle that are lacking in one of more of the indicators above – forward store types. Introduce supplements from mid-July onwards.

On the other hand, for cattle visually lacking flesh, the best option may be to hold back meals, finish the out the grazing season and sell, or house for a silage-concentrate finish.

Note that introducing supplements should not be seen as an excuse to relax the grassland management. Three kilos of barley is only 25% of the animal’s daily food intake – the rest is from grass and it needs to be kept fresh and leafy. As the summer ends, it should be easier to keep grass under control.

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