The unceasing rain in early summer significantly delayed haymaking. This may affect the quality of the forage, the quantity of milk and the health of the cows.

The cold and rainy weather this spring and early summer has taken its toll on our wellbeing. But not only that. Farmers had other problems as well: In some places, the first cut on the meadows could only be made at the end of July – three to four weeks later than in other years.

Grass should be cut before flowering, when it has the highest energy value. If the forage consists mainly of yellow, washedout stems, it is already in a later stage, when the grass has lower nutritional values.

Herbs make the difference
The quality of the forage has a direct impact on milk production. Whereas with ideal hay quality a production of up to 17 litres of milk per day is possible, with poor forage quality this figure can be reduced to as little as 2 litres of milk per day.

However, especially in mountain areas, there are also less intensively managed meadows with many herbs. In these cases the loss of quality is much lower and a milk yield of 13 litres per day is still possible despite late haying.

Cows on a diet
Interestingly, cows don’t notice when the energy value from their feed is lower and do not compensate by eating more. However, a cow that eats less will lose body fat after calving. This can lead to metabolic disorders or claw problems and in serious cases even affect fertility.

For the farmers affected, hopefully the second and third cuts can cushion the loss of quality from the first one.

BASED ON AVS/SONJA WOLF