Sheep Winter Fodder - Hay, Halage or Silage

Kiwi Pete

Member
Livestock Farmer
Depends what else they're getting?

If only supplementary feed, then the best energy source possible.

If they're only needing something to scratch the rumen and keep them full, hay is adequate.... sheep didn't suddenly arrive with the advent of bale wrap and balers with knives in the throat.

More sheep on the planet graze trees than grass, our way is just one way
 

Bury the Trash

Member
Mixed Farmer
They don't need mouldy hay either, trouble is very good hay is in some seasons is pretty nigh impossible to make, a big problem if you are relying on it as your main winter feed.

A Nice narrow clamp of precision chop would do me, first cut.

And if the weathers right.......Plus some best quality hay for early and late use, and odd small lots ewe lambs rams etc
 
It'll be chopped haylage here (as early cut as poss) . House from 1/1 and been totally haylage for 25 years now . Improved the feeding set-up and can handle up to full-chop now ...... But buy a bit of super hay in off a n'bour also .
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
Depends what else they're getting?

If only supplementary feed, then the best energy source possible.

If they're only needing something to scratch the rumen and keep them full, hay is adequate.... sheep didn't suddenly arrive with the advent of bale wrap and balers with knives in the throat.

More sheep on the planet graze trees than grass, our way is just one way

Sorry yes, I was assuming the OP was looking to use it as a forage source, not to add a bit of fibre to the lush grass that some folk have growing all winter. ;)
 

Kiwi Pete

Member
Livestock Farmer
Sorry yes, I was assuming the OP was looking to use it as a forage source, not to add a bit of fibre to the lush grass that some folk have growing all winter. ;)
Despite the best efforts of the salespeople and advisers, a ruminant only needs a 9%CP diet... if you want rumen efficiency, of course.

It was a vague enough OP, I was assuming the ewes were dry, pregnant, and in reasonable nick
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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