Roughage comes into play as the cold takes hold

AS WINTER bites and we see a dryer season than usual, livestock are looking for a bit extra to cope with the cold and Agriculture Victoria are urging farmers not to underestimate the importance of roughage in an animal’s diet during these testing conditions.

While cereal hay offers both protein and roughage, farmers are turning to straw to supplement good pasture hay and grain along with helping to stretch out supplies.

Agriculture Victoria senior veterinary officer Dr Jeff Cave said that with little new growth of pasture, it is necessary to feed roughage.

“Livestock needs to eat more roughage in cold weather to give them energy for heat production, keeping them warm since the fermentation and breakdown of cellulose creates heat energy.

“If livestock don’t get enough roughage in the colder months, they will drop condition quickly as they use body fat to create energy for warmth.

“Feeding out late in the afternoon will provide ‘heat’ through the night.”

There are many more reasons for livestock’s need for roughage during winter, including:

Even though some roughage may be left uneaten, for digestive function livestock require a minimum amount of fibre and long roughage to maintain their digestive systems. This is sometimes known as the ‘scratch factor’ and stimulates rumination (cud chewing)

When moving livestock onto green pasture, their rumen needs time to adjust to a new feed type

Newly growing pasture may not have adequate fibre levels

It may be better to supplement stock to allow the pasture to establish and develop

Hungry cattle need to be prevented from gorging themselves onto pastures that may have potential to cause nitrate poisoning or bloat, and

If feeding grain or pellets with too little roughage, acidosis or grain poisoning can occur.

As we move further into winter, hay may be needed to reduce grass tetany risks and allows a way of administering Causmag.