Weather hits proteins and drives feed sales

A spike in feed sales and a drop in milk proteins are two of the immediate consequences of the continuing wet weather, which has resulted in record rainfall in many parts of the country.

With dairy farmers struggling to get cows out to grass full-time, very strong feed sales are being reported by mills.

One mill in the midlands claimed that sales in March were running more than 5% ahead of 2022, which he described as “a very good year”.

The main driver of increased sales this spring has been dairy farmers. Some milk suppliers, who have been unable to get cows out due to trafficability issues, have been feeding 6kg to 7kg of concentrates, the merchant explained.

It was a similar story in the south and southeast, with merchants reporting a marked increase in feed sales.

Lower milk proteins

George Ramsbottom of Teagasc said dairy farmers were generally feeding around 5kg of concentrates per day on average.

He said milk proteins are currently 0.2% lower than normal as a consequence of the on-off grazing patterns, with supplies averaging 3.3% to 3.4%. They would normally be at around 3.5% to 3.6% at this time of the year, he explained.

However, Ramsbottom predicted that conditions at farm level will turn around pretty quickly once the weather improves.

“I believe we are in a good place if it dries up. Grass covers are good, except on wet farms, and growth is starting to take off,” he said.

Joe Patton of Teagasc pointed out that grass growth was hitting around 30kg to 35kg/ha/day. While this is not far off the long-term average, he said it was coming from a low base.

And although trafficability is an issue on some heavier ground, Patton pointed out that “a couple of good days” will sort that problem.

He said there were two different scenarios playing out with farmers at the moment.

Tight on silage

“Some lads didn’t get cows out in February and they’re a bit tight now on silage. You then have the fellows who went out and raced ahead in February and are pulling the brakes now,” he explained.

Patton urged farmers who are behind on fertiliser applications to spread now.

“Some lads could be a bit behind, but you’ll get a good kick from fertiliser spread now,” he said.