In the current heatwave and restricted grass growth, Teagasc has said that where dairy farmers are feeding concentrates to supplement grass that “native cereals and protein sources fit very well into this part of the diet”. Home-grown forage is recommended where larger deficits exist.
The advice for growing dairy stock is to offer 1-3kg of concentrate where grass quality and quantity are below target. A high inclusion rate of native cereals is recommended and feed oats were outlined as “a very suitable ingredient”.
On the beef side of things, Teagasc limits supplementing at grass to finishing animals and weanlings.
Teagasc says: “For both finishing cattle and weanlings at grass we would be encouraging rations with a high level of native ingredients, if they make sense to include from an economic perspective compared to other ingredients on the market.”
IFA push for oats over palm kernel
On Monday, the Irish Farmers’ Association’s (IFA’s) grain committee issued a statement that said: “The IFA Grain Committee would ask that livestock farmers chose a ration or nut with a high inclusion rate of native Irish cereals.”
The statement added: “High fibre grains such as Irish oats are an ideal option for buffer feeding outside and are a much more sustainable option than imported non-grain feed ingredients such as soya hulls and palm kernel expeller.”
John Murphy, chairperson of the Irish Farmers’ Association’s grain committee, has said that native grain is “a perfect feed in dry conditions”.
SHARING OPTIONS