Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    Twitter LinkedIn
    Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    • News
      • Arable & Agronomy
      • Dealership News
      • Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy
      • Event News
      • Health & Safety
      • Machinery
      • People
      • World News
    • Farm Machinery
      • Amenity & Maintenance
      • Cultivations
      • Drilling
      • Grassland Equipment
      • Harvesting
      • Muck & Slurry
      • Sprayers
      • Telehandlers
      • Tractors
      • Tractor of the Year
      • Tyres & Tracks
      • Whatever happened to?
    • Precision Farming
    • Markets & Policy
    • Profiles
      • National Arable and Grassland Awards
      • Company Profiles
      • Reader Profiles
    • Livestock
      • Beef
      • Dairy
      • Sheep
    • Magazines
      1. July 2025 issue
      2. June 2025 issue
      3. Cereals event guide 2025
      4. May 2025 issue
      5. April 2025 issue
      6. March 2025 issue
      7. 2025 Tyre Developments supplement
      8. February 2025 issue
      9. National Arable and Grassland Awards supplement
      10. January 2025 issue
      11. December 2024 issue
      12. November 2024 issue
      13. October 2024 issue
      14. September 2024 issue
      15. August 2024 Issue
      16. 2024 Drills and Seeds supplement
      17. July 2024 Issue
      18. Cereals Supplement
      19. June 2024 Issue
      20. May 2024 Issue
      21. April 2024 Issue
      22. Tyres and Tracks Supplement
      23. March 2024 Issue
      24. National Arable & Grassland Award – Meet the Finalists
      25. February 2024 Issue
      26. January 2024 Issue
      27. December 2023
      28. Agritechnica Preview Supplement
      29. November 2023
      30. October 2023
      Featured

      July 2025 issue available now

      By Matthew TiltJuly 9, 2025
      Recent

      July 2025 issue available now

      July 9, 2025

      Cereals event guide 2025 available now

      June 20, 2025

      June 2025 issue available now

      June 2, 2025
    • Events
    • Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Beef

    Farmers should counter grass shortage with proven nutrition

    Matthew TiltBy Matthew TiltAugust 29, 20222 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Rumenco drought cattle @300

    The prolonged dry weather seen this summer has been causing real issues for cattle and sheep producers across the UK, so says Dr Alison Bond, ruminant nutritionist for Rumenco.

    While it may be tempting to hold off on supplements, the cost of feeding for an extra 1kg of liveweight gain later may be as much as double as the animal matures. However, the consequences of selling under-finished animals could reduce income by £5 per lamb, and £18 per steer.

    “Across much of the country, pastures are becoming depleted with animals who are not supplemented potentially suffering weight loss and a reduction in health and performance,” explained Dr Bond.

    Trials of all ruminant livestock have shown that supplementing sparse grazing will typically increase growth rates and achieve an additional margin per head. And while ewes are past peak lactation, they need to be prepared for tipping and cannot afford to lose body condition.

    Feeding a free-access supplement, such as Rumevite, will help support preparation as well as supply key minerals, vitamins and trace elements, she added. Ewes need 1kg of grass on a dry matter basis during summer and if the dry weather continues, they will struggle to get this which would have a negative impact on conception.

    “Rumevite feed blocks provide energy and protein required for growth and maintenance to achieve DLWG targets, whilst also providing key minerals, vitamins and trace elements. The little and often feeding provides a flow of nutrients through the rumen, helping to support a healthy rumen bug population.

    “This supports forage digestibility, ensuring stock make the most of the grass or forage that they do have. Rumevite All Season in particular is a high energy and protein feed and mineral block for cattle and sheep with access to lower quality grazing to support optimal health and performance,” explained Dr Bond.

    “Supplementing dwindling grazing sooner rather than later will help keep growth and performance on track with younger animals having improved efficiency of growth and so improved return on investment of feed offered,” concludes Dr Bond. “Reaching markets at closer to peak values adds further value to the finished stock too so delaying acting could end up costing you more than it saves.”

    Tweet
    Share
    Share
    Pin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Previous ArticleCheffins to put on a bumper sale in September
    Next Article Specialist training course to help aspiring dairy farmers with business issues
    Matthew Tilt
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    Machinery editor for Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer. Matt has worked as an agricultural machinery journalist for five years, following time spent in his family’s Worcestershire contracting business. When he’s not driving or writing about the latest farm equipment, he can be found in his local cinema, or with his headphones in, reading a good book.

    Read Similar Stories

    Hi-Spec to introduce new diet feeder at Royal Highland

    June 16, 2025

    Shearers welcome from overseas after NAAC lobbying

    April 14, 2025

    ‘No regular worm season’ as Zoetis urges farmers to conduct faecal egg counts

    April 4, 2025
    Most Read Stories

    Versatile dribble bar provides precise application

    July 9, 2025

    Focus on farm safety with new award

    July 9, 2025

    Sheep-dipping business helps fight scab

    July 9, 2025
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer

    The UK's leading agricultural machinery journal

    Twitter LinkedIn
    © 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

    Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • Farmers Weekly
    • AA Farmer
    • Poultry News
    • Pig World

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.