Winter 2025
Winter Feeding at Brooman: A Straight Line to Calving Success
As winter tightens its grip on Brooman, our focus shifts from baling the summer's harvest to feeding our herd through the colder months. Our winter feeding strategy is built around efficiency and the well-being of our cattle, particularly our calving mothers, and it all revolves around our feed out machine.
The Straight-Line Feeding System
Our feed out machine is a cornerstone of our winter routine. It allows us to unroll our carefully prepared silage bales in a continuous, straight line. This method offers several key advantages:
Equal Access for All: In a traditional feeding setup, more dominant cows can hoard feed, leaving timid or lower-ranking animals with less to eat. By unrolling the silage in a long, straight line, we create a "bunk space" that is accessible to every cow simultaneously. This minimises competition and ensures that every animal, regardless of its place in the herd hierarchy, gets the nutrition it needs.
Reduced Waste: The machine unrolls the silage directly onto the ground, preventing it from being trampled into the mud or wasted in a pile. The cattle eat the forage as it is presented, reducing spoilage and ensuring we get the most out of every bale.
Consistent Nutrition: The feed out machine provides a uniform feed line, which is crucial for delivering a consistent ration. This consistency is vital for maintaining the health and body condition of our cows, especially those in late pregnancy.
The Benefits for Calving Mothers
The benefits of our straight-line feeding system are particularly evident in our calving mothers. The last months of pregnancy and the period immediately following calving are the most nutritionally demanding times in a cow's life.
Stress Reduction: Calving is a stressful time. By eliminating competition at the feed bunk, our feed out machine reduces stress on our pregnant and newly calved cows. This "stress-free" environment helps prevent health issues like milk fever and ketosis, which are often linked to nutritional deficiencies and stress.
Optimised Body Condition: A cow's body condition at calving is a major factor in her ability to have a healthy calf and a smooth delivery. Providing a consistent, high-quality feed supply ensures our cows maintain their ideal body weight. This reduces the risk of calving difficulties (dystocia) and helps the mother recover quickly, preparing her for the next breeding season.
Support for the Calf: A well-fed cow produces a healthier, more vigorous calf. The continuous access to feed ensures the mother has the energy and nutrients to support the growing fetus and, later, to produce a robust milk supply for her newborn. A strong start for the calf is a strong start for the future of our herd.
By using our feed out machine to provide a low-stress, consistent, and nutritious diet, we are not just feeding our cattle—we are investing in the health of our herd and the success of our calving season. It's a simple, effective practice that makes all the difference when it counts the most.
