Coping with Fodder Shortage

In 2007, Dairy Australia and the Australain government with investment from the dairy and beef industries, established the feed.FIBRE.future program to combat a nationwide fodder shortage. The program helped farmers make informed decisions under conditions of reduced fodder and water availability.

The program developed and delivered a number of components:

feed.FIBRE.future factsheets

These factsheets aim to help dairy farmers make informed decisions under conditions of reduced fodder and water availability.

Please note – the links below are pdfs, they may take a few seconds to open.

Facts about fibre	What is it, why cows need it
Ruminal acidosis - risk assessment	Understand & assess the risks
Ruminal acidosis - quick checks	Is the rumen stable?
Nutritional values - fibre sources	Alternative fibre options when forage is limited
Closing the feed gap	Considerations when exploring options
Know what you are buying	Feeds to suit your system, problems to avoid
Ruminal acidosis control	Use of feed additives to help control rumen function
Solving your feeding problems	Tips on good feeding management
Impact of your feeding decisions	Consider the implications
Alternative fibre sources	PKE, grape marc, rice straw, sugar cane
Transition feeding	With limited effective fibre, tips
Making the most of spring feed	Pasture management & conservation

Briefings, workshops & field days

A series of 2-3 hour farmer workshops provided technical information, a four-step process for managing the feed fibre shortage and encouraged farmers to seek the advice of service providers. A total of 38 workshops and 8 field days were held over three months. 603 farmers and 131 service providers attended.

1-on-1 consultations

A free, confidential, 90 minute, 1-on 1 consultation with a nutrition and business management specialist was offered to help dairy and beef farmers. More than 220 1-on-1 consultations were delivered.