As housing season approaches, feed budgeting should be at the top of every farmer’s to-do list. Completing a simple feed budget now can prevent costly feed shortages later in the winter, ensure steady animal performance and protect herd health.
At Specialist Nutrition, we work closely with farmers to analyse forage, plan diets and fill feed gaps before they affect production. A few hours spent assessing your feed position today can save weeks of stress when silage stocks run tight in January or February.
- Know Where You Stand
The first step in effective feed budgeting is understanding your current position. Measure silage pits, count bales and calculate available dry matter for each animal group.
Once you have accurate figures, compare supply against demand using our Feed Budget Calculator to identify any shortfall or surplus. Even a 5–10% gap can become significant by the end of winter, so aim for a 10% reserve, not a 10% shortfall.
Testing your forage is equally important. Many farmers focus only on energy and protein, but mineral analysis is essential to reveal imbalances that affect health, fertility and immunity. You can’t manage what you don’t measure — knowing your forage mineral profile helps create a precise feeding plan that meets nutritional targets efficiently.
2. Make a Feed Plan That Fits Your Farm
Once your feed budget is complete, plan how to close any gap between feed supply and herd requirements.
Start early — sourcing feed now gives you more choice and avoids last-minute panic buying.
Practical steps include:
- Purchasing high-quality silage or hay to boost forage reserves.
- Introducing moist or liquid feeds such as brewers’ grains or Spey Syrup to replace a portion of silage on a dry matter basis.
- Balancing energy and protein levels with suitable concentrates or minerals.
Remember to account for storage, handling and spoilage costs when evaluating feed options. Wet feeds, for instance, can lose up to 10% of their value if not stored correctly.
Our specialists can help calculate true cost-per-tonne and advise on sustainable, performance-driven solutions that fit your farm system.
3. Manage Stock Numbers and Condition
Feed budgeting isn’t only about feed — it’s also about managing the animals you have.
If a significant deficit is identified, consider reducing numbers or offloading underperforming stock earlier. Selling cull cows or lower-producing animals can make a big difference in feed demand and free up resources for productive stock.
During housing, monitor body condition score (BCS) regularly. Dry cows should maintain a BCS of 3.0–3.5. Over-conditioned cows are at risk of milk fever and ketosis, while thin cows may struggle with fertility and milk production. The right mineral balance, especially selenium, magnesium and trace elements, is essential for smooth calvings and strong colostrum quality.
4. Focus on Dry Cow and Transition Nutrition
The dry period is where next spring’s success begins. Nutrition during this time influences colostrum quality, calf immunity, and fertility for the next lactation cycle.
Plan your dry cow diets 6–8 weeks before calving, coinciding with colostrogenesis — the period when antibodies are built into colostrum.
Introducing a targeted pre-calver mineral at this stage ensures better calf immunity, improved cow health and fewer metabolic disorders.
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5. Keep an Eye on Cashflow and Plan Ahead
Feed shortages and last-minute purchases can strain farm finances. Completing your feed budget early gives time to plan feed purchases strategically and spread costs over the coming months.
If cashflow is tight, your nutritionist can help prioritise essential feeds and identify cost-effective alternatives. In some cases, switching to co-products or liquid feeds can provide both nutritional and financial relief.
6. Continuous Monitoring: Don’t Set and Forget
Feed budgeting isn’t a once-off task. Track actual feed use through winter, update your figures, and make adjustments as needed. Conditions change — wetter weather, longer housing, or new stock can all affect demand.
By reviewing your budget regularly, you’ll keep your plan accurate and your herd well-fed until turnout.
Plan Now with Specialist Nutrition
Specialist Nutrition supports farmers in creating accurate feed budgets and filling winter feed gaps before they occur. Our services include:
- On-farm forage and mineral analysis
- Expert feed budgeting advice
- Access to our Feed Budget Calculator
- Tailored dry cow and transition diets
- Moist and liquid feeds to stretch silage reserves without compromising nutrition
Plan early, feed smarter, and protect performance this winter — because preparation is the key to profitable farming. Contact our team today to discuss how tailored silage testing, mineral supplementation and storage solutions can optimise your herd’s winter performance and long-term productivity.
