Delayed turnout and inconsistent forage quality are creating new nutritional risks for dairy herds this spring, warns Emily Keep, ruminant nutritionist at Duynie, who stresses that balanced diets remain essential to protect milk production and fertility.
Persistent wet weather has delayed turnout across many dairy farms, while variable forage quality and tight feed stocks are adding further pressure as the grazing season begins. According to Emily Keep, ruminant nutritionist at Duynie, reducing feed inputs to manage costs during periods of low milk prices can have significant long-term consequences for herd performance. She notes that maintaining balanced rations with adequate energy, protein, fibre and minerals is critical to sustaining milk production, fertility and overall cow health during the spring transition.
“While low milk prices may tempt some to cut back to ease cash flow, the last thing we want is for diets to be reduced,” she explains. “We’ve seen this happen before, and the long-term consequences, particularly for fertility, can be significant.”
Balanced nutrition underpins every stage of reproductive performance, from transition cow management through to heifer rearing.
“Energy density, protein balance and mineral supply all need to be correct,” adds Ms Keep. “If cows don’t receive enough energy, the impact is first seen in milk production, but longer-term effects show up in body condition, fertility and ultimately longevity. It’s vital farmers don’t scrimp on feed, as even small drops in conception rates or extended days open can have significant financial implications,” she adds. “Protecting nutrition now protects margin later.”
MANAGING LUSH SPRING GRASS
Even where early turnout is possible, lush spring grass presents nutritional challenges. Young grass is high in sugar and rapidly degradable protein but low in structural fibre, meaning it ferments quickly in the rumen and can increase the risk of acidosis. Metabolic disorders such as hypomagnesaemia (grass staggers) are also more common.
Buffer feeding is key to maintaining rumen stability and ensuring adequate dry matter intake.
“The high rumen degradable protein in grass needs balancing with digestible undegradable protein and effective fibre,” explains Keep. “When protein sources are balanced correctly, rumen health and milk production are maximised.”
Keep notes that supplementing grazing diets with co-products such as brewers’ grains or C*TraffordGold, a moist wheat-based distillers feed, can help provide good digestible fibre (NDF of 50-60% and 25% respectively), protein contents of about 20-24%, additional energy and slow passage through the rumen. Their high palatability also encourages voluntary feed intake, helping cows achieve the dry matter needed for milk production and fertility.
“Including co-products such as brewers’ grains and C*TraffordGold in spring rations helps ensure grass protein is fully utilised and supports efficient digestion,” says Keep. “They can also help counter the butterfat drop commonly seen at turnout. Because of their shorter particle length, they should be fed alongside longer fibre sources such as straw or lower-quality silage. Suggested inclusion rates are typically 5–8kg per cow per day, with oil levels carefully balanced within the ration.”
Strong spring availability allows co-products to be clamped under anaerobic conditions and stored for up to six months, giving farms a practical buffer against later-season forage pressure, while fresh product remains usable for around six weeks, according to Emily Keep.
“Co-product feeds are an effective way to bridge the dry matter intake gap at turnout,” adds Keep. “As a buffer diet, they provide essential energy, encourage voluntary intake, and support both production and fertility. By carefully managing spring nutrition and including the right supplements, farmers can cost effectively protect cow health, maintain fertility, and make the most of their grazing season, ensuring long-term herd performance and profitability.”
