Make a plan before grazing beef animals

“Implementing a diet change for housed animals, for example changing from a forage diet to a cereal diet, would typically be managed by having a cross-over period of a week or more,” he says.

“Turning out cattle requires equally careful management in order to acclimatise the rumen, maintain growth rates and reduce the risk of illness.”

He recommends preparing a grazing strategy before turn out, as there are certain considerations to bear in mind depending on whether set stocking or a rotational approach is chosen.

“If you are going for set stocking then you must consider which fields you will continue to use and which areas will be shut up in the event that grass growth gets ahead of demand from the cattle,” says Dr Pullar.

“Alternatively, if you are using a rotational grazing system, you need to be thinking about which fields you are going to use and in which order. Are you ready to make an early tactical silage cut if grass grows faster than the cattle can consume it?”

Optimum height

Whichever method is selected, the most profitable approach is always to maintain the sward at the optimum height, he says. If grass growth is slow, it is therefore advisable to bring some of the area set aside for silage into the grazing area.

When the time has come to turn out cattle to grass, producers should choose their approach depending on the ground and weather conditions.

If ground conditions allow, turning stock out onto a relatively short grass sward (4-6cm) is the favoured option.

This should be supplemented with an allocation of straw, which is gradually reduced and eventually eliminated over a period of one or two weeks, dependant on grass growth.

In wet conditions, when the grass sward height gets well ahead of the cattle, then initially strip grazing the stock to restrict intake, and feeding them their winter diet in gradually reducing quantities over one week, is advisable.

These approaches are designed to manage the rumen and will avoid any serious growth checks. If things go wrong, however, in addition to growth checks, more serious risks can develop.

Frothy bloat can occur when cattle are suddenly introduced to lush pastures and producers should keep this in mind when checking stock each day. Ensuring cattle have some access to straw during periods of lush grass growth can help avoid this.

Mineral supplements are essential for cattle when grazing on grass, and these must take into account local differences in soil mineral status. “If you don’t know what minerals your animals need, then find out,” says Dr Pullar. “Your vet will usually have a good idea, because they will be aware of what problems your neighbours have on similar soil types.

“If there is no local knowledge, you may have to do some blood analysis - but only after the cattle have been out for few weeks, because their body supplies will probably be initially high if their winter rations have been well constructed.”

New calved suckler cows will need magnesium at times of lush spring grass growth, to prevent grass staggers. This can take a number of forms, such as supplementary feeding, free access blocks, liquid molasses with minerals, water treatment or mineral boluses.

Producers should decide which form is most appropriate for their farm system, but are strongly advised to have at least one of these in place to avoid the risk of staggers developing, says Dr Pullar.

“Farmers sometimes think that feeding cattle lots of minerals before turnout will compensate for giving them no supplements once they’re on grass,” he says.

“This approach won’t work for very long because minerals in general, and magnesium in particular, are not stored in a particularly effective way by the body. Giving cattle a daily mineral intake is a much more effective way of ensuring their demands are met.”

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