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Developing a fodder flow plan The foundation of an effective fodder flow plan begins with an accurate understanding of the herd’s nutritional requirements. This involves categorising animals by production stage, such as lactating cows, dry cows, and heifers; and calculating their daily and seasonal dry matter (DM) intake needs. With this baseline, the next step is to take a comprehensive inventory of the available feed resources, including current pastures, silage stocks, hay bales, and potential crop residues. Farmers should also estimate expected yields from upcoming forage crops based on historical data and current conditions. Once feed availability and requirements are quantified, the farmer or consultant can construct a monthly or seasonal plan that maps out how and when each feed source will be used. This includes developing a grazing and cropping calendar that considers pasture rotations, planting and harvesting dates, and fertiliser applications. In KZN, ryegrass is often over-sown into kikuyu bases to extend the grazing season into winter, while maize remains the dominant crop for silage due to its high yield and energy content. Oats or stooling rye is generally planted as a cover crop behind the maize, which then forms part of the grazing platform in winter. Supplementation plays a critical role in bridging any nutritional gaps identified in the plan. When pastures and silage are insufficient in meeting the animals’ energy or protein needs, concentrates or byproducts can be introduced. These should be carefully formulated to maintain cost-effectiveness and avoid nutrient imbalances. Additionally, proper stored, and preservation of silage and hay are essential. Ensuring airtight sealing, regular quality testing, and protection from weather exposure helps maintain feed quality and reduces spoilage. Conclusion In KwaZulu-Natal, where climate and pasture growth are highly seasonal, fodder flow planning is not merely a management tool, but a strategic necessity. The ability to consistently match feed supply with demand across all seasons is key to achieving stable milk production, optimal animal health, and financial sustainability. By investing time and resources into a thorough and adaptive fodder flow plan, dairy farmers do not only reduce costs and dependence on purchased feeds, but also build resilience in the face of climatic and market uncertainties. If you require any additional information regarding fodder flow planning on dairy farms or have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local technical advisor to ensure you are fully up to speed – www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team. Monitoring is a continuous component of fodder flow planning. Conditions such as weather variability, herd size changes, and forage quality fluctuations require farmers to be flexible and ready to adjust the plan, as necessary. Keeping detailed records of stocks, forage yields, and animal intake allows for timely decision-making and improves planning accuracy in future seasons. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com Spring/Summer 2025 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 10