The Importance of Forage Production
Last year’s drought was a stark reminder that forage production remains one of the greatest risk areas on livestock farms.
Weather is outside our control, but exposure to risk can be reduced through better cropping choices, closer grassland management and a more considered approach to fertiliser use.
A key part of that resilience is avoiding over reliance on a single forage crop or a narrow range of grass ley ages. Mixed forage systems spread both weather and establishment risk and give more options when one element underperforms. Multi species leys continue to show value in dry periods, particularly where deep rooting species such as chicory and plantain are included. These plants can access moisture deeper in the soil profile, supporting summer growth, while legumes help reduce dependence on bagged nitrogen. Grass variety choice also matters. Varieties with stronger summer growth and better recovery after stress should be prioritised ahead of headline yield figures. Where soils and location allow, flexible forage crops such as whole crop cereals or forage maize can provide an important buffer, offering an alternative source of forage when grass growth disappoints.
Ley age and rotation planning are often overlooked but play a major role in drought performance. Older leys tend to suffer more in dry conditions, often due to compaction, weed ingress and shallower root systems. Identifying fields that consistently struggle and planning proactive reseeding is far preferable to reacting after a failure year. Spreading reseeding over several seasons also reduces establishment risk and workload pressure.
Grassland management becomes even more critical when moisture is limited. Grazing too tightly in dry conditions slows regrowth and weakens root systems, while maintaining higher residuals supports root mass and improves recovery once rainfall returns. Soil health underpins all of this and is one of the most underestimated risk factors in forage production. Compaction restricts rooting depth and water infiltration, so regular soil structure assessments, targeted aeration where needed and careful traffic management all contribute to better drought tolerance. Organic matter levels are equally important. Higher organic matter improves water holding capacity, and slurry, farmyard manure and digestate should be viewed as soil conditioners as well as nutrient sources.
Fertiliser strategy also needs to move away from habit and towards precision. Nitrogen efficiency drops sharply in dry conditions, and applying fertiliser simply because it is in the diary increases cost risk without guaranteed return. Matching nitrogen applications to soil moisture and growth potential, splitting doses and considering stabilised or protected products where volatilisation risk is high can all improve efficiency. Regular soil testing for pH, phosphorus and potassium remains essential, as correcting pH improves nutrient uptake and overall grass resilience. Slurry applications should be targeted to fields with the highest response potential and the lowest run off risk.
As summers become more unreliable, making the most of grass growth in spring and autumn is increasingly important. Early spring growth should be prioritised on responsive fields with good drainage and soil temperatures, avoiding blanket applications in favour of targeted inputs. Early grazing encourages tillering and sets the crop up for the season ahead.
Effective risk management is not about predicting the next drought but being prepared for it. Building forage buffers where possible, reviewing stocking rates against realistic forage supply rather than best case years, and treating grass with the same planning and scrutiny as maize or cereals all help reduce exposure. Farms that cope best in dry years tend to be those with flexible systems, healthy soils and a clear plan for when conditions turn against them.
