Supplementary feeding for maintenance
Management Activity
Supplementary feeding for maintenance is practiced when quality and/or quantity of pasture is insufficient to support stock. Beef cattle grazing pastures low in protein can be supplemented with urea and sulphur, which effectively stimulates digestion and increases feed intake. Supplementary feeding for maintenance is common in times of drought and often allows livestock to be retained on the property long after the pasture resource has been exhausted. Consequently, supplementary feeding for maintenance can sometimes be associated with land degradation.
The direct impacts of supplementary feeding for maintenance may include:
- Increased pressure on resource
- Reduced ground cover
- Increased soil compaction
Last updated: 04 November 2008