The benefits of grazing grass and clover vs other cattle feeds

Grass and forage are your most cost-effective sources of cattle feed. So, it makes sense to take autumn grazing opportunities while conditions allow, explains grassland expert Pat Delaney.

Grazing grass and clover to cut cattle feed costs

Did you know that Teagasc research shows grazing grass-only or grass and clover swards is much more cost-effective than other popular feeds?

In spring, grazed grass cost €46 per tonne of dry matter (DM) produced. Meanwhile, grazed grass and clover were even cheaper at €36. In contrast, maize silage cost €189 and fodder beet was €207.

Estimated costs to produce livestock feed (excluding land charge), spring 2024

Source: Teagasc

As for the relative cost of grazed grass per energy utilised (UFL), rolled barley is 5.0, bale silage is 5.4, and beef finishing rations are 7.1. The evidence from Teagasc is clear: when conditions allow, your most cost-effective cattle feeding strategy is to graze grass and clover.

As winter approaches, consider the tonnes per DM cost savings of pit silage (€172) versus bale silage (€211). Where possible, it is a good business decision to produce pit silage.

And if conditions are poor again next spring, zero grazing could give you cost-savings compared to bought-in feed. When ground is vulnerable to damage, zero grazing can help you better manage the conditions and ensure fresh grass and forage are not wasted.

Grazing advice for feeding livestock

By grazing grass and clover whenever possible, you can build silage reserves and deploy concentrates when they will make the greatest difference, like when finishing cattle.

If spring starts well next year, aim for an early turnout as the feed value of spring grass is similar to concentrates at this point.

You should also turn cattle out at the right time. We recommend waiting until grass reaches the three-leaf growth stage. Grazing at three leaves will maximise your grass growth and yield.

Below two leaves, research shows that grazing can decrease growth by up to 85%. With paddocks, you can efficiently rotate cattle and better manage grass production.

Plan grass and forage production for 2024

Autumn is the right time to plan your grass and forage production ahead of spring. With around half of Irish soils deficient in lime, you can take advantage of any dry conditions by applying lime to improve pH when covers are bare.

If conditions are good in spring, reseeding older and less nutritious pasture with high-quality grass and forage can lift your cattle production next year.

Perennial ryegrass is naturally high in protein and Germinal’s Aber High Sugar Grass (HSG) varieties, including AberBann, AberChoice, and AberGain, can improve protein use efficiency. This is achieved by providing cattle with more water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in the rumen.

The higher WSCs give the rumen more energy to increase the capture of protein from grass, raising milk production by 6% and liveweight gain by 20%.

When cattle graze Aber HSG, less grass protein is wasted as ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions. With Aber HSG, you get the dual benefits of increasing cattle production while also reducing emissions.

Aber HSG varieties work well in mixtures with white clover, red clover, and multi-species. Featuring across our mixtures, these varieties are already widely used in Irish grass and forage production.

Feed cattle with quality grass and forage

You can control your feed costs by grazing grass and forage whenever possible. Ask your local Germinal expert for advice on grass and forage production in 2025.

David Little, Agricultural Product Manager, Northern Ireland
T: 07718 658716
E: [email protected]

Diarmuid Murphy, Area Sales Manager, Southeast/Midlands/West
T: 085 747 3865
E: [email protected]

Claire Bailey Archibald, Area Sales Manager, Northeast
T: 087 470 6908
E: [email protected]

Pat Delaney, Area Sales Manager, South/Southwest
T: 085 841 6477
E: [email protected]