A ruminant nutritionist is warning farmers to plan ahead for turnout to maximise spring opportunities.

Bethany May, from Trident Feeds, believes that producers should be concerned that the recent cold and wintery weather may be limiting grass growth, which could impact milk yields.

She suggests that once milk fat percentages have dropped it is too late and the damage to the milk cheque for that month will already be done.

But, she says that preventable measures can be taken in advance of turnout to maintain or even enhance milk quality.

Miss May said: "At turnout, it’s common to see a drop in milk fat percentage, and this spring there may also be an impact on yield if grass regrowth is not on par with previous years.

“Therefore, it’s important to try and maintain milk fat levels and maximise milk value, particularly if you are on a constituent contract, through the inclusion of a buffer feed with appropriate supplements alongside grazing.

“So, include Butterfat Extra, a palatable, C16:0 rich protected fat, that when incorporated into rations can show immediate improvements to milk fat percentages, with production responses of up to 0.4 per cent increase in butterfat percentage, and a lift in milk yield by up to one extra litre.

“However, if you were to calculate return on investment, feeding 400g of Butterfat Extra to a 30 litre cow could increase net profit by up to 22p per cow per day, potentially more if on a manufacturing contract.

“Based on a 200 cow herd, this would mean an extra profit of £6,600, for the first 150 days of lactation.

“The high unsaturated oil and low fibre levels in spring grass can upset the rumen pH, increasing the risk of sub-acute rumen acidosis, as well as directly suppressing butterfat synthesis in the udder, therefore its crucial the ration is balanced to avoid this.

“Including high physically effective fibre sources such as straw, as well as digestible fibre sources such as sugar beet feed in buffer rations, will help maintain a balanced rumen, and also reduce these risks.

“Investing in turnout plans and rations now will pay dividends, through increased outputs and decreased risks of metabolic diseases.”