Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Natural veld grazing is the cornerstone of most livestock production systems. However, when animals lack access to adequate supplementary nutrition, declines in productivity, reproductive performance, and overall health often follow. Therefore, implementing a well-considered supplementary nutrition strategy is not merely a short-term fix – it is a vital management tool for sustaining profitable and resilient livestock operations.
What is supplementary nutrition?
Supplementary nutrition involves adding specific nutrients to an animal’s diet to compensate for deficiencies. These shortfalls, whether in energy, protein, minerals, or vitamins, are influenced by seasonal variations, veld conditions, and the animal’s physiological production stage.
Rather than replacing natural grazing, supplementary nutrition aims to enhance it – optimising animal performance while controlling costs. Achieving this balance requires careful consideration of economic viability, productivity, and effective management practices. In ruminants, lick supplementation plays a pivotal role, primarily by supporting the microbes in the rumen.
The microbial environment
Micro-organisms thrive within the rumen of ruminant animals. These anaerobic organisms are unable to survive outside the rumen due to their intolerance to oxygen. With lifespans ranging from just 12 to 48 hours, they multiply or die rapidly, depending on the conditions.
Ruminants have evolved over millions of years to live in symbiosis with these microbes. The animal provides a secure environment and food in the form of grass. In return, the micro-organisms break down the grass into compounds the ruminant can absorb, primarily supplying energy. Additionally, when the microbes die, they become a vital source of protein for the ruminant.
A healthy microbial population directly supports the health and productivity of the animal. Supplements, such as licks, are formulated not primarily for the ruminant itself, but to serve as a source of nutrients for these micro-organisms. By supporting their nutritional needs, we minimise mass die-offs, maintaining a stable population. This ensures that ingested grass is digested thoroughly and efficiently.
Efficient digestion means faster rumen throughput, allowing the animal to consume more grass in less time. Increased intake leads to greater nutrient absorption and, ultimately, improved health and performance.
When is it necessary?
The nutritional value of veld grazing fluctuates with the seasons. During the dry season, the quality of available forage declines significantly, especially in terms of protein content. Grass protein levels often fall below what is required for optimal microbial fermentation in the rumen. This reduction hampers digestion of roughage and leads to a loss of valuable nutrients through manure.
Supplementary nutrition becomes particularly important during critical periods such as pregnancy, lactation, and growth when animals’ nutritional needs increase.
Providing supplementary nutrition helps maintain body condition, supports healthy calf or lamb development, and enhances reproductive performance.
The veld follows a distinctive seasonal cycle each year:
- Following the first good rains, seeds germinate and young, succulent grasses begin to grow. At this stage, the grasses are highly palatable, easy to digest, and high in protein and moisture.
- Over the next three months, the grass reaches maturity. Although the moisture content gradually declines, it remains palatable, digestible, and high in protein.
- Around two months before the green season ends, grass plants begin producing seeds. During this time, nutrients are shifted from the stems and leaves to the root system as the plant prepares for the dry season. Consequently, protein levels in the grass drop rapidly.
- Once the grasses have seeded and the dry season begins, their digestibility declines sharply. The plants become increasingly fibrous and stalky, ultimately becoming unpalatable.
There are three distinct lick seasons throughout the year, each requiring a specific type of lick:
- Green season: Grasses are rich in protein and energy, but mineral deficiencies occur. A mineral lick is recommended to address these gaps.
- Early dry season: As grasses go to seed, their protein content drops below the levels needed to sustain rumen micro-organisms. A protein lick is recommended for this period.
- Late dry season: Grasses become lignified and increasingly indigestible, leading to energy shortages in addition to persistent protein and mineral deficiencies. A production lick is essential during this time.
Licks vs supplementary nutrition
A fourth type of lick is the energy lick. This variant delivers significantly more energy than a standard production lick and is intended for animals in poor condition or those needing to gain condition rapidly, for example animals being grown out for the market and young females being prepared for first mating, where reaching their target weight is crucial.
What sets the energy lick apart is that its extra energy is directed primarily to the ruminant itself, rather than to the micro-organisms in the rumen. When this shift occurs, the feed moves from the definition of a ‘lick’ to that of a complementary feed.
While licks supply nutrients chiefly to rumen micro-organisms – enhancing grass digestion and stimulating intake – complementary feed is formulated to provide nutrients to the animal directly, especially energy. It serves as a replacement for grass when forage availability is limited.
Integration with veld management
Supplementary nutrition should support poor veld management practices, and not conceal it. A lack of grazing material poses a greater challenge than a lack of nutritional quality. While nutritional deficiencies can be addressed through supplementation, these efforts must complement sound veld management strategies, such as rotational grazing, resting periods, and effective control of carrying capacity.
When roughage is insufficient, however, the only solution is to add roughage. This highlights the critical importance of understanding both veld and livestock management in order to optimise animal production.
Moreover, strategic use of supplements can enhance veld utilisation. For instance, protein supplements during winter can encourage livestock to consume older, less palatable grasses, leading to more efficient use of available grazing resources.
In short
Supplemental nutrition on veld grazing is not a luxury – it is a strategic imperative in livestock farming. By providing the appropriate supplements at optimal times and at an affordable rate, producers can significantly enhance livestock productivity, preserve veld integrity, and boost overall profitability. Success hinges on informed decision-making, meticulous planning, and ongoing monitoring. – Esmari Rautenbach (Pri.Sci.Nat.), Feedtek
For more information, send an email to esmari@feedtek.co.za
