The Department of Agriculture have issued a reminder regarding the permitted crude protein content in concentrates.

The current rule states that the crude protein content of concentrates fed to dairy cows and all other cattle aged over two years of age at grass during the period from 15 April to 30 September is a maximum of 14% on an as fed basis.

The Department said it “wishes to remind people that the requirement does not apply where cattle are not outdoors full time at grass.

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Even in situations where cattle are at grass full time, the Department has always and will continue to allow for situations where a higher level of crude protein is required in concentrates to maintain animal welfare or to meet the animal’s dietary needs.”

Written confirmation

In such a scenario the Department requires written confirmation from the feed supplier, a recognised ruminant nutritionist or an accepted Farm Advisory Service (FAS) adviser stating that a higher level of crude protein is required.

A Department spokesperson said: “From a practical implementation perspective, compliance is assessed taking into account the date the concentrate feed was purchased.

“Records of purchased feed should also include the quantities and types of concentrate feed, including crude protein content, fed to livestock on the holding.

“Under SI No 588/2025, as amended, these records should be maintained for five years and made available for inspection if requested.”

Rule background

The Department of Agriculture said it issued the reminder in response to recent weather and its effects on grass growth in many parts of the country in order to remind farmers, their advisers and feed mills about the flexibility that exists.

“This measure is in place to reduce nitrogen surpluses during the main grazing season when good-quality grass provides adequate crude protein for adult cattle.

“However, the Department recognises the primary importance of animals’ receiving a balanced diet in line with their conditions.”

Finishing cattle on grass

While there may be merit in feeding a higher crude protein content concentrate to milking dairy cows that are receiving forage supplementation and access to restricted grass, there is little merit in a crude protein content above 14% for beef cattle at grass.

A crude protein content of 10% to 12% is more than adequate for finishing animals where the aim is to bring animals to the desired fat score.

The focus here should be based on the energy content of the concentrate rather than the protein content.

A simple three of four-way mix based on high-energy ingredients such as barley and maize will suffice.

Straights could be fed if supplementing at low levels of a couple of kilos daily.

Weanling rations will generally have a higher crude protein content than finishing rations but these animals are not dictated by the nitrates crude protein rule.