Making every kilogram of winter feed count

For many UK dairy farmers, the impact of this summer's challenging weather is not ending as temperatures fall.

After a prolonged period of dry weather and poor grass growth, many farms have already started feeding forage that would traditionally have been saved for the winter. With silage clamps being opened earlier than planned, forage stocks under pressure and milk yields affected, the focus is now firmly on how to make every kilogram of available feed count.

For dairy farmers, autumn is a critical transition period. The decisions made now could have a significant impact on feed costs, milk production and forage availability over the months ahead. If extreme wet weather returns, alongside the potential of flood warnings, we could have cows coming into sheds earlier than expected.

A Difficult Summer Has Created an Autumn Feeding Challenge

The prolonged dry conditions have put significant pressure on grass growth and forage availability across the UK, especially the regions where soil is clay or chalk based.

AHDB has reported that grass growth has slowed dramatically in many areas, with some pastures stopping growth altogether. As a result, some livestock farmers had started feeding forage normally reserved for winter, raising concerns about feed availability later in the year.

Farmers Guardian reported in August that many dairy producers had been forced to feed winter forage and purchase expensive supplementary feeds as the drought continued.

Milk Production Under Pressure

The consequences of a challenging growing season aren't just being felt in the clamp.

When grass growth slows and forage quality or availability becomes limiting, maintaining dry matter intake can become increasingly difficult. For dairy cows, reduced intake can quickly translate into reduced milk production and a greater reliance on purchased feed as what we have seen happening on many farmers over the summer months.

AHDB's June 2026 dairy forecast expects GB milk production for the 2026/27 season to fall to 12.91 billion litres, 0.9% below the previous milk year.

For farmers already seeing milk yields fall, the temptation can be to increase concentrate feeding to compensate. But with forage stocks already under pressure, simply feeding more isn't necessarily the answer.

“It’s a balancing act” says Addi Kidson – Farm management support for Feeding “having to open clamps early and in such punishing heat, can have a host of knock-on effects, beyond just rationing of feed. Bird damage pre-migration, spoilage from exposure to elements and the uncertainty of the coming spring. We can never underestimate the weather effect”

Making Every Kilogram of Feed Count

When forage is plentiful, a small amount of feed wastage can be easier to overlook. When the clamp is under pressure, it becomes much harder to justify.

Poor feed management can result in cows sorting the ration, feed heating in the trough or uneaten feed being pushed away and ultimately discarded.

This is where precision feeding can make a real difference.

How Can the Lely Vector Help?

The Lely Vector automatic feeding system is designed to continuously monitor feed availability and deliver fresh feed to cows throughout the day; in direct relation to their eating behaviour.

Rather than relying on a single feed delivery, the Vector can provide smaller, more frequent portions of the ration according to the needs of the herd 24/7 allowing for less feed wastage as well as analysing when cows are eating less or more.

The system's laser measures the height of feed along the feed fence, allowing it to determine when fresh feed is needed. This helps keep feed available to the cows while reducing the risk of unnecessary overfeeding or underfeeding.

Lely's approach to precision feeding is based on matching the ration more closely to the cow's requirements, helping prevent waste while maintaining stable feed intake.

“We have seen intakes increase proportionally to the temperature drop during the night” says Addi “The Vector seamlessly adapts to the cows increased interest without the farmer having to change anything. With a feeder wagon, this would equate to a feed out at 11pm”

Less Waste. Better Feed Management.

When forage stocks are tight, reducing wastage can be just as important as finding additional feed.

The Vector can help by:

• Delivering fresh feed little and often, helping maintain consistent feed availability around the clock and prioritising night feeds when the heat is at a peak.
• Monitoring feed levels automatically, so feed is delivered when it is needed.
• Reducing opportunities for feed to heat or spoil by avoiding unnecessarily large quantities sitting at the feed fence and recognising the cows eating patterns to ensure feed wastage is at a minimum.
• Helping reduce feed sorting, so cows have better access to a more consistent ration.
• Supporting consistent dry matter intake, which is fundamental to maintaining milk production.
• Making better use of available forage, particularly when high-quality winter stocks are limited.

Adapting the Ration as Conditions Change

One of the biggest advantages of automated feeding is the ability to manage feeding as the needs of the herd change.

Autumn isn't simply a case of switching from grass to a fixed winter ration. Forage quality, grass availability, cow demand and milk production can all change throughout the season.

The ration therefore needs to be monitored and adjusted accordingly.

With Lely's management technology, farmers can use data to understand feed intake and help identify changes in eating patterns, allowing them to make adjustments when needed.

“Horizon will give you dry matter intake analysis across the day and week with insights into how much has been fed and over what time frame. You can then take the analysis further with your Farm Management Support team to further optimise your forages to get the most out of them. We work closely with nutritionist to ensure the rations they create are being handled effectively by the system.” Addi Kidson

This becomes particularly important in a year when the forage budget is already under pressure.

Protecting Forage Stocks Through the Winter

The challenge for farmers this year is not simply getting through autumn.

It is ensuring there is enough good-quality forage left when winter is properly underway.

AHDB recommends accurately budgeting winter feed requirements, with feed requirements calculated according to livestock numbers and expected demand.

The Focus This Autumn: Feed Smarter

The difficult growing conditions of 2026 have created a challenging position for many dairy farmers.

There may not be a way to create more forage once the clamp is full — but there are ways to make better use of what is already there.

By delivering fresh feed little and often, monitoring feed availability and supporting a more precise approach to feeding, the Lely Vector can help farmers reduce feed wastage, maintain consistent intakes and make the most of their available forage.

Because when every kilogram matters, how you feed is just as important as what you feed.

Could the Lely Vector help your farm?

If your farm is already feeding winter forage earlier than planned, or you're concerned about forage availability and feed costs this winter, now could be the time to look at how automated feeding could help you make the most of your available feed.

Speak to your local Lely Centre to find out how the Lely Vector could work on your farm.