14 Winter pasture tips

• Check the state of pastures after drought to decide on action needed.

• Do a feed budget to see if feed supply will meet feed demand over winter and into spring. Get help if needed.

• If you are clearly overstocked, get rid of stock now.

• Don’t buy hay without checking for quality, and weed content.

• If you have to buy silage, open a sample bale to ensure it smells sweet and has no moulds.

• Check ‘baleage’ carefully, as it may have been hay that was baled when slightly wet and could be mouldy.

• Don’t rely on Nitrogen fertiliser to grow any extra feed you need in winter as response to N depends on soil temperature.

• Make sure hay and silage is not wasted and that stock clean up what they are fed.

• Big silage bales left in one spot will burn pasture and cause pugging.

• Feed racks, which can be moved regularly, are a good idea.

• Avoid pugging pastures at all costs. Feed and standoff pads must meet environmental drainage standards. Use a back fence when grazing.

• Keep on eye on weeds like thistles - attack them next spring when growth accelerates again.

• Review a winter tree planting programme for shade, fodder and erosion control.

• Fence off all drains for riparian protection.