Supplementing Inadequate Pasture - Cattle

Supplementing Inadequate Pasture – Cattle

Feeding little and often supports the productive and efficient operation of the rumen. This leads to less supplement being fed and livestock being more productive.

Compare little-and-often grain/pellet feeding to trail or trough feeding.

Cattle Per Feeder(Required)

When there is some feed on offer in the paddock, the maximum number of cattle per grain/pellet feeder is 50.

Period of Feeding (days)(Required)

Supplementing through Summer and Autumn can often be for 120 days.

Average Grain/Pellets Consumption (kg/head/day)(Required)

1.5kg / day is a common ration to supplement through this period.

Total Amount of Grain/Pellets Consumed (kg)

Cost of Grain/Pellets ($/tonne)(Required)

Enter the cost of your feed ration.

Total Cost of Grain/Pellets Consumed ($)

Investment in a Feeder ($)(Required)

Current pricing on feeders can be found on our Product Directory.

Lifespan of the Products (years)(Required)

Please enter a number from 1 to 30.

How long the product is expected to last. Maximum input is 30.

Depreciation Cost ($/year)

Straight line depreciation over two-thirds the lifespan of the product with a $0 residual. Assumes the feeder is only used for this period each year.

Decrease in Supplement Feeding Amount (%)(Required)

Advantage Feeders case studies have showed that livestock can have the same results from being supplemented from a feeder with 45%% less feed compared to being trail fed every second day.

Total Feed Cost Saving ($)

Additional Profit ($)

Additional profit gained through this feeding period.

Payback Period (months)

Number of months for the additional profit to exceed the investment in the product.

Email Address(Required)

Enter your email address to have a copy of these results sent to you.

Trail/Trough Feeding vs. Advantage Feeders

At certain times of the year, ruminants require supplementation to maintain productivity. How the supplement is delivered can have a significant impact: many supplements are high in starch, which, if introduced too quickly, can lower rumen pH, disrupt microflora, and reduce overall productivity.

Providing supplements in small, frequent amounts ensures starch is digested without significantly affecting rumen pH. Research shows that using Advantage Feeders can achieve the same production with 45% less feed compared to trail feeding.

Our information sheet provides a brief overview and explains:

How pasture limitations affect production
The latest science on rectifying pasture and feeding issues
How to quantify potential gains from complementary feeding

Additional Considerations Supplementing Inadequate Pasture – Cattle

Farming operations are complex, and the following factors are not included in this calculator:

Multi-purpose feeder use: Feeders can be used for other purposes during the year, reducing depreciation costs and increasing return on investment.
Labour and vehicle savings: While filling and monitoring feeders takes time, farmers often reduce labour and vehicle costs by up to 50% compared to trail feeding.
Crop contamination prevention: Trail feeding can leave feed on the ground, potentially contaminating future crops.
Feeder training: Stock need time to learn to use feeders initially, but creep feeding calves before weaning can eliminate this cost.

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Creep Feeders

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