After a long winter, turning livestock out onto fresh spring grass is something every farmer looks forward to. With fields full of lush, green grass, it’s natural to expect better growth rates and improved livestock performance.

But high-quality grass doesn’t always deliver the weight gains you’d expect.

In fact, some cattle and sheep experience scouring and reduced feed efficiency just when grazing conditions appear to be at their best.

Why Doesn’t Spring Grass Always Deliver Better Growth?

Rapid spring grass growth can produce pasture with very high protein levels, sometimes reaching 25–30% crude protein.

While protein is essential for livestock growth, too much can create an imbalance in the rumen.

When cattle and sheep consume more protein than their rumen microbes can effectively use, excess nitrogen must be processed and excreted. This requires energy that could otherwise support liveweight gain or milk production.

Lush grass can also pass quickly through the digestive system, contributing to loose dung, scouring and reduced nutrient absorption.

The result? Plenty of grass, but less efficient growth.

Getting More Growth from Grazed Grass

The solution isn’t necessarily more grass. It’s making better use of the grass already available.

Providing a controlled amount of starch-rich feed, such as barley or wheat, can help balance the excess protein in lush grass by supplying fermentable energy to rumen microbes.

When managed correctly, grain supplementation can help:

• Improve feed utilisation and daily liveweight gain
• Reduce digestive upsets associated with lush grass
• Support better nitrogen utilisation in the rumen
• Make more efficient use of spring grazing
• Support livestock productivity and farm profitability

Advantage Feeders make it easier to provide small, controlled amounts of grain to grazing cattle and sheep, helping farmers support performance without replacing valuable grass.

Make Spring Grazing Work Harder

Good grass growth is only part of the equation. What really matters is how efficiently livestock turn that grass into growth.

By understanding the balance between protein and energy, farmers can make better feeding decisions and get more value from their grazing.

Watch our latest video to learn why lush spring grass can sometimes limit livestock growth and how strategic grain supplementation can help.

Better grass utilisation. Better livestock performance. More value from every acre.

Learn more about controlled grain supplementation with Advantage Feeders.