With fodder scarce on many farms, farmers need to look at options as to how to get through this winter. Taking action early and amending management now will pay off.

While many will look to source extra silage or hay supplies, it’s important to remember there are other options.

Obviously, a minimum amount of forage is required, but other options should be considered.

These include offloading any empty cows earlier than normal to reduce silage requirements. Store cattle and weanlings are also a good trade in marts at the moment and maybe this year animals could be sold to take some pressure off winter feeding supplies.

Closing up some fields now will be beneficial if we get an early spring, where light stock could be turned out earlier than normal.

In our focus supplement this week, we take a look at getting the basics right with ad-lib feeding.

This could be a viable option on some farms where fodder is scarce and could be economically more viable where animal performance increases and finishing time reduces.

Ciarán Lenehan takes a look at fodder stretcher products which many meal companies are now providing. He looks at value and what you should look for to stretch supplies.

Straw is also in short supply and, William Conlon looks at peat as an alternative to straw bedding.