Drought: How to Deal with a Shortage of Forage?
After several months of drought, many livestock farms are facing a significant forage shortage. Livestock organizations estimate the forage shortfall at nearly 2 to 2.5 metric tons per livestock unit (LU), with a major economic impact on farms. In this context, every metric ton of forage saved counts. Assessing forage stocks, adjusting rations, prioritizing which animals to feed, and providing nutritional supplements: discover the steps you can take right now to maintain herd performance and ensure a smooth winter.
Planning Ahead with a Forage Assessment
The first step is to accurately assess available forage supplies and the herd’s needs. A forage balance analysis allows you to quickly identify the extent of the shortfall and adjust management decisions before the situation worsens.
Optimize Available Resources
When faced with a shortage of forage, several strategies can be combined:
- Locally available feed or byproducts;
- Make use of finely chopped straw;
- Cull the least efficient animals;
- Group animals by physiological stage to ensure that the most nutritious forage is reserved for the animals that need it most.
The goal is simple: to use every kilo of forage in the right place.
Adjusting feed rations without compromising performance
Reducing feed stocks should not lead to a nutritional deficit. Young animals and dry cows can be switched to drier rations, while milking cows can benefit from semi-dry rations that allow for a better distribution of available forage over time.
To maintain performance, it is essential to preserve feed intake, digestibility, and energy intake.
Ensuring the Energy Content of the Diet
When forage is scarce or of poor quality, supplemental energy feeding becomes a key strategy.
Crystalyx energy pellets or solutions such as Deltagreen® help maintain energy intake, improve feed efficiency, and limit the impact of forage shortages on production.
Don’t forget vitamins and trace minerals
Forage harvested under difficult conditions may also have more variable nutritional quality.
For suckler herds in particular, targeted supplementation with vitamins and trace minerals ( including selenium) helps replenish reserves and ensures a smooth transition into fall and winter. Solutions such as Bufflo® Tonic Axion® are effective tools for managing this high-risk period.
Oligopass®is also a valuable tool for ensuring adequate vitamin and trace mineral intake. Thanks to its rumen-protected vitamins (A, E, B) and partially chelated trace minerals (Cu, Zn, Mn), it promotes better nutrient absorption and helps support key animal functions: reproduction, the start of lactation, and overall performance. It is particularly beneficial during periods when deficiencies are a risk , such as when animals are moved into the barn or during preparation for calving.
Preparing for the Future
Whenever possible, planting cover crops or catch crops can help replenish stocks and strengthen the farm’s forage self-sufficiency for future growing seasons.
