Feeding roughage in winter is essential

When there is new pasture growth and you are providing various supplementary feeds, you may ask – why feed roughage?

Roughage is the bulky feed such as hay, that is generally considered to be high in fibre and lower in energy.

Livestock may require roughage during winter for the following reasons:

Even though some roughage may be left uneaten, 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 time for the pasture to establish and develop;

Hungry livestock need to be prevented from gorging themselves on pastures that may have potential to cause nitrate poisoning or bloat;

If feeding grain or pellets with too little roughage, acidosis (grain poisoning) can occur; and

As we move further into winter, hay may be needed to reduce the risk of grass tetany and allows a way of administering magnesium oxide (Causmag).

Another good reason to feed livestock roughage in cold weather, is that roughage in the diet helps keep livestock warm.

This is because the fermentation and breakdown of cellulose creates heat energy.

If livestock do not have enough roughage, they will utilise their body fat to create energy for warmth.

Therefore, it is more effective to feed your livestock late in the afternoon, as this will provide ‘heat’ throughout the night.

Agriculture Victoria’s drought feeding books for sheep and cattle contain information on cow and sheep requirements as well as a guide to conducting and interpreting feed tests (chapter 5 in the cattle book and chapter 3 in the sheep book).

The books are available from the Feeding Livestock website feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au/ or by ringing the Customer Service Centre on 136 186, who can also refer you to a livestock or animal health officer.