Ration Formulation

With animals being housed across the country many farmers are looking to winter feed purchases. There is a lot more focus on getting value for money this year, with some farmers looking at the cost per tonne rather than what’s in the bag.

The cheapest isn’t always the best when it comes to rations. Meal companies are not required to publish the energy content of their rations, but are required by law to list ingredients in descending order of inclusion rate.

Energy is the most important feed value when feeding finishing cattle, with protein and energy important when feeding autumn calved cows, sucking calves and weanlings.

The table below lists some commonly used ingredients in rations.

Cereals will be highest in energy while soya bean meal, rapeseed meal and maize distillers are all good sources of protein. If purchasing a ration look for an inclusion rate of the different ingredients to make sure you are getting good value.

CAP Series

The Irish Farmers Journal, supported by AIB and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, hold our next CAP Information Meeting on Thursday, 3 November in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow at 7.30pm.

There are huge changes coming to payment rates and schemes, and farmers can hear how the new CAP will affect farm schemes and their income.

There will be presentations and a Q&A session where farmers can get answers to questions on new schemes. FREE to attend. Register now at www.ifj.ie/register

Further events will be held in the Ard Rí Hotel in Tuam, Co Galway and the Errigal Country House Hotel, Co Cavan.