The challenge is not just grass growth slowing down during summer, but the knock-on effect this has on the availability of dry matter available for feeding both in real time and later in the year. If there’s not enough in the clamp or the field, milk output and cow condition can quickly suffer.
So, what can be done now to get ahead of the problem? And what can we learn from countries already used to farming in drier climates?
The first step is to look again at the reliability of our current grass swards. Perennial ryegrass remains the mainstay, but its shallow root system means it’s one of the first species to shut down in hot, dry weather. While some improved ryegrass varieties have been bred for better drought tolerance and persistence under stress, there are benefits to going beyond ryegrass altogether.
Including deeper rooted grasses such as cocksfoot and tall fescue in seed mixes can provide a buffer against summer moisture deficits. Cocksfoot is quicker to bounce back after dry spells and offers good regrowth when rain returns. Tall fescue is slower to establish but very persistent and better able to maintain production in dry conditions. These species are already widely used in parts of southern Europe and are beginning to attract more attention in the UK.
Other plants like plantain and chicory not only improve drought resilience but can also improve soil structure and mineral uptake. Their deep taproots access nutrients from lower in the profile, and they keep growing later into the season when ryegrass begins to struggle.
Lucerne is another proven option in drier climates. It’s not suited to grazing, but as a silage crop it produces high protein forage with excellent dry matter yields. Lucerne also fixes its own nitrogen, making it less reliant on fertiliser inputs. In Australia, southern Europe, and parts of the US, lucerne is a mainstay forage crop where summers are routinely dry.
New Zealand farms offer another useful lesson; they don’t just rely on pasture. Many grow wholecrop cereals such as barley or oats to boost dry matter availability in late spring and summer. Wholecrop silage is one of the simplest ways to build forage stocks and take pressure off grassland, or the option of maize (can’t have an article without me talking about maize I’m afraid).
Improving first-cut timing also makes a difference. Cutting earlier, before crops become too fibrous, supports faster and healthier regrowth. Chasing bulk too late into the season risks leaving swards stressed and unproductive going into a dry spell.
Lastly, make sure nutrient applications match plant demand and soil conditions. Applying slurry or fertiliser when soil is too dry is a waste of money and can do more harm than good. Moisture aware management, even something as simple as checking with a spade and soil thermometer, helps target inputs more effectively.
Building a more drought-resilient forage system is all about diversity in species, in cropping options, and in thinking. With drier summers likely to become more common, shifting towards more robust mixes and flexible cropping plans will be key to ensuring cows are kept well fed through the year.