Summer is a time of abundant sunshine, warm weather, and bountiful harvests. As the season approaches, animal owners need to consider the type of fodder they'll feed their animals during this time. The hot and humid weather can impact an animal's health and performance, which makes choosing the right feed and proper management of utmost importance.
There are many different types of animal fodders suitable for summer. Fresh grass and fodders are the most popular and widely available feed for grazing and farm animals such as cows, horses, and sheep. However, it's important to ensure that the grass is free from harmful toxins and not too high in nitrates, as this can cause health issues.
You must know that winter fodders are high in
protein, and summer fodders are high in energy and low in protein. Those who
are making alfalfa hay now, will significantly save money by mixing it in low
protein summer fodders. In contrast to the winter, summer is a better time to
grow fodder varieties.
If the maize crop in your region produces good yields and silage-making equipment is also nearby, focus solely on producing corn silage and continue to supplement it with seasonal fresh fodder as necessary.
Another choice
is rhodes grass, which is a great forage, but rhodes grass seed has become very
expensive and availability of good seed in the market is limited particularly
this year. Provide fresh Rhodes grass for feeding and grazing, and keep
trimming and drying the extra. Within twenty-five to thirty days, harvest early
for maximum advantage. Ryegrass may now be planted in cold and snowy places to
provide a rich source of fodder until the next snow, as well as softer, and
better-digesting components for colder regions in the summer and the best for
the plains region in the winter. It also dries quickly and has a strong protein
content.
The third option, which is frequently the traditional technique used by medium-sized and small farmers, is cutting maize, millet, and sorghum every day and feeding it to the animals fresh. The summer is spent harvesting them and sowing them in a fresh field.
In recent
years, high-yielding hybrid sorghum has made it easier to find a solution to
this repetitive sowing. Sorghum-Sudangrass, a different hybrid sorghum variety,
is also available. Hybrid sorghum-sudangrass is distinct from hybrid sorghum. Sudangrass
is a type of grass from the sorghum family. Sudangrass is known for its broad
leaves, delicate stems, and have a high ability to sprout and re-grow. Sorghum-Sudangrass,
often known as hybrid fodder, is produced by crossing sudangrass with fodder
sorghum. Sorghum-Sudangrass unquestionably superior to maize, sorghum, and
millet fodder in terms of yield, sweetness, thinner stem, greater number of
leaves and nutritional value. Thin stem is also more digestible due to its low
lignin content.
Sorghum Sudan grass seed is available at fertilizer, spray and pesticide companies in almost every region. Ten kilogram of seeds required for one acre sorghum-sudangrass production which cost from 3000-3500 Pakistani rupees (PKR). The seed is also imported from South Africa, Australia and America, which cost between 5200 to 6000 PKR for one acre production of sorghum-sudangrass. Use imported seed if you want a higher-quality of sorghum-sudangrass; otherwise, use local seed.
In conclusion, animal owners have many options when it comes to choosing the right feed for their livestock during the summer months. Fresh grass, hay, silage, fodder crops, and fresh produce, are all excellent options. It's essential to choose the right feed for your animals and ensure that they're properly managed to avoid heat stress and other health issues. By doing so, your animals will thrive and be healthy throughout the summer months.
For more guidance and consultancy feel free to reach out to me. I'd be happy to assist you.
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