Steps to reduce the time spent feeding stock over Christmas

By Daniel Hession – Nutritionist and Technical Manager – Aurivo Agribusiness

 

Now that the Christmas period is upon us, it’s important to get a break away from the farm and spend time with family and friends and to rest the body and mind ahead of the busy spring period. While some tasks will have to be completed, with a bit of forward planning the time spent feeding livestock over Christmas can be reduced. Here are some key steps to set up the farm for Christmas.

 

1. Silage allocation

On Christmas Eve, put out extra silage blocks or bales in the feed passage to last two to three days if possible. This means that on Christmas morning and St. Stephen’s Day, it is only a matter of pushing in the silage to the feed barrier.

Where cattle are fed through a diet feeder, refill the wagon after it is emptied on Christmas Eve, so it is ready to go on Christmas morning.

 

 2. Fill meal in advance

Fill out the meal required for each group of stock for both Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day in advance. This will reduce the time required to feed stock over Christmas. Cover meal filled buckets by stacking and place a lid on the top bucket to keep vermin out.

 

3. Straw bedding

Where cattle are on straw bedded sheds, put in extra fresh straw on Christmas Eve. Clean out straw bedded sheds a day or two before Christmas which should help to stretch the fresh bedding applied.

 

4. Prioritise

While herding, feeding and bedding stock are essential tasks, other jobs can be delayed for a few days so less time is spent in the yard.

Ensure you have enough meal and other necessary supplies and bales transported to out farms etc. to get through the Christmas period.

On behalf of the entire Aurivo Agribusiness team, I would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas.