ADVERTISEMENT Making the Most of Maturing Green Feed As lush green feed matures it declines in digestibility, energy and protein. This means that livestock eat less of it and receive less energy and protein from the feed consumed. Although still green, livestock performance on maturing feed declines significantly if not managed effectively. Dr Paul Meggison, local producer and Chief Nutritionist at AusFarm Nutrition Products, discusses how to effectively grow lambs on maturing green feed. Consideration 1: Poor Digestibility The decline in digestibility as a pasture matures arguably has the largest impact on the productive capacity of green feed. Digestibility is progressively reduced from the pastures late vegetative stage onwards, when the plants begin to produce a stem. Poorly digestible feed keep the animal full for longer, and reduce the daily consumption of that feed. A 40kg lamb can consume around 1.6kg of lush green feed per day, however, the same 40kg lamb can only consume around 1.1kg of maturing green feed (NDF 45%). Solution: According to Dr Meggison urea is key to boosting digestibility, "Even at small levels in the diet, urea is very effective at increasing the digestibility of maturing feeds. Effective urea supplementation DIGESTIBILITY Nutritional Value of Pasture at Different Stages of Maturity TIME can see an animal increase feed consumption by up to 30%, and the more fed an animal can eat the better it'll perform." Consideration 2: Low Energy As green feed matures and becomes less digestible, it also declines in energy. For example, a lush green pasture with energy of 10.8MJ ME kg DM would likely have an energy content of around 9.9MJ ME/kg DM during the late vegetative stage. Solution: According to Dr Meggison, energy equals growth. "Supplementing the diet with barley at 400 to 500g/hd/day can boost ENERGY PROTEIN MU ME/kg DM D 12 26 High Production 10 22 Late Winter to Early Spring Graze crops & lush pasture with StockMins-Crop Grazer Plus 9 16 13 Mid Spring to Early Summer Finish lambs on maturing pasture or lucerne with grain & StockMins-Lamb Finisher 7 10 Stock Weight Loss energy and get the most out of the available green feed." Early Summer to Late Summer Consideration 3: Low Mineral Content A combination of poor digestibility and low mineral content of maturing green feed can hinder livestock performance and reduce liveweight graingain. Dr Meggison stresses the importance of getting the balance between energy and protein right when supplementing with "Supplementing with grain involves getting as much energy into them as possible without diluting the protein too much." "Early to mid-flowering green feed is generally sufficient to support 500g/hd/day of barley. Beyond this, a protein source, like lupins, may be added to balance the diet." Solution:"Feeding a built-for-purpose supplement like StockMins-Lamb Finisher delivers essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements, while providing buffers, Bovatec and urea to support grain supplementation, improve rumen function and boost pasture digestibility. It's perfect for supplementing maturing green feed and lucerne BOOST PERFORMANCE ON MATURING GREEN FEED Boosts consumption of maturing green feed Contains 2.5% urea to assist in increasing the digestibility of maturing green feed STOCKMINS LAMB FINISHER Anp AusForm Nutrition Products "Livestock Nutrition Supports rapidly growing lambs Effective levels of essential minerals, vitamins, trace elements and Bovatec to support the needs of rapidly growing lambs on green feed Reduces the risk of acidosis Effective buffers to reduce the risk of acidosis when feeding medium level grain StockMins Lamb Finisher Call AusFarm Nutrition Products 0412 048 055 or visit www.ausfarmnutrition.com SCAN HERE FOR PRODUCT INFORMATION ADVERTISEMENT Making the Most of Maturing Green Feed As lush green feed matures it declines in digestibility , energy and protein . This means that livestock eat less of it and receive less energy and protein from the feed consumed . Although still green , livestock performance on maturing feed declines significantly if not managed effectively . Dr Paul Meggison , local producer and Chief Nutritionist at AusFarm Nutrition Products , discusses how to effectively grow lambs on maturing green feed . Consideration 1 : Poor Digestibility The decline in digestibility as a pasture matures arguably has the largest impact on the productive capacity of green feed . Digestibility is progressively reduced from the pastures late vegetative stage onwards , when the plants begin to produce a stem . Poorly digestible feed keep the animal full for longer , and reduce the daily consumption of that feed . A 40kg lamb can consume around 1.6kg of lush green feed per day , however , the same 40kg lamb can only consume around 1.1kg of maturing green feed ( NDF 45 % ) . Solution : According to Dr Meggison urea is key to boosting digestibility , " Even at small levels in the diet , urea is very effective at increasing the digestibility of maturing feeds . Effective urea supplementation DIGESTIBILITY Nutritional Value of Pasture at Different Stages of Maturity TIME can see an animal increase feed consumption by up to 30 % , and the more fed an animal can eat the better it'll perform . " Consideration 2 : Low Energy As green feed matures and becomes less digestible , it also declines in energy . For example , a lush green pasture with energy of 10.8MJ ME kg DM would likely have an energy content of around 9.9MJ ME / kg DM during the late vegetative stage . Solution : According to Dr Meggison , energy equals growth . " Supplementing the diet with barley at 400 to 500g / hd / day can boost ENERGY PROTEIN MU ME / kg DM D 12 26 High Production 10 22 Late Winter to Early Spring Graze crops & lush pasture with StockMins - Crop Grazer Plus 9 16 13 Mid Spring to Early Summer Finish lambs on maturing pasture or lucerne with grain & StockMins - Lamb Finisher 7 10 Stock Weight Loss energy and get the most out of the available green feed . " Early Summer to Late Summer Consideration 3 : Low Mineral Content A combination of poor digestibility and low mineral content of maturing green feed can hinder livestock performance and reduce liveweight graingain . Dr Meggison stresses the importance of getting the balance between energy and protein right when supplementing with " Supplementing with grain involves getting as much energy into them as possible without diluting the protein too much . " " Early to mid - flowering green feed is generally sufficient to support 500g / hd / day of barley . Beyond this , a protein source , like lupins , may be added to balance the diet . " Solution : " Feeding a built - for - purpose supplement like StockMins - Lamb Finisher delivers essential minerals , vitamins and trace elements , while providing buffers , Bovatec and urea to support grain supplementation , improve rumen function and boost pasture digestibility . It's perfect for supplementing maturing green feed and lucerne BOOST PERFORMANCE ON MATURING GREEN FEED Boosts consumption of maturing green feed Contains 2.5 % urea to assist in increasing the digestibility of maturing green feed STOCKMINS LAMB FINISHER Anp AusForm Nutrition Products " Livestock Nutrition Supports rapidly growing lambs Effective levels of essential minerals , vitamins , trace elements and Bovatec to support the needs of rapidly growing lambs on green feed Reduces the risk of acidosis Effective buffers to reduce the risk of acidosis when feeding medium level grain StockMins Lamb Finisher Call AusFarm Nutrition Products 0412 048 055 or visit www.ausfarmnutrition.com SCAN HERE FOR PRODUCT INFORMATION