With large parts of South Africa having received good rainfall this year, grazing conditions look excellent in many areas. Cattle are thriving, sheep are in good condition, and farmers are finally breathing easier after several challenging seasons. However, according to Kobus du Plessis of Feedtek, this is exactly the time when farmers should be careful not to underestimate the challenges that winter can bring.

“We’ve had a very good summer,” Kobus explained during NAMPO. “The problem is that a large volume of grass does not necessarily mean high-quality nutrition for your livestock. With the amount of rain we’ve had, the nutritional value of the grass may have declined, and that’s where winter supplements begin to play a critical role.”

As winter approaches and grazing matures, grass rapidly loses protein and energy. Although there may still be plenty of forage available, it does not mean animals are receiving everything they need to maintain their condition. This is often when farmers start seeing the consequences later in the season, livestock lose weight, reproduction is affected, and calving and lambing seasons suffer as a result.

According to Kobus, it is important for farmers to plan ahead and not wait until the first signs of condition loss become visible. “Winter is still ahead of us, and it could be a harsh one,” he says. “The greatest danger is that animals may appear to be in good condition now, but nutritional deficiencies only become apparent later when grazing quality deteriorates further.”

He explains that livestock require supplements containing urea, energy, phosphate, and other macro- and micro-minerals during winter to compensate for deficiencies in natural grazing. Without these supplements, an animal’s ability to utilise roughage efficiently can decline significantly.

Feedtek offers a range of solutions to help farmers through the winter months. Products such as Veld Grazer and Econograzer have been specifically developed to address the nutritional deficiencies of winter grazing. These concentrates contain urea, phosphate, and essential minerals and can be mixed with salt, maize, or chop to create a practical and cost-effective winter lick.

“The purpose of these supplements is to help your animals make better use of the available grazing,” Kobus explains. “If the rumen is functioning properly and the necessary nutrients are available, your livestock can perform much better throughout the winter.”

Merino breed sheep with wool coats in a pen on a sheep farm

Another product range that Feedtek has partnered with over the past two years is the Ecovite range. According to Kobus, these products have already received strong support from farmers, particularly where energy supplementation is essential.

“Ecovite is based on dry molasses powder and provides an excellent energy source for livestock during the winter months,” he explains. “We also have a new product, Dripro 64, which is based on the same principle. It helps supplement both energy and protein when grazing no longer provides sufficient nutritional value.”

He emphasises that adequate energy and protein intake during winter is critically important, especially for pregnant cows and ewes that are due to calve or lamb soon. When animals lose too much condition during winter, it not only affects production but also influences fertility and the performance of the next generation of young stock.

“We want to reassure farmers that there are sufficient products available for winter supplementation,” says Kobus. “We also want to remind farmers to prepare now. Don’t become complacent simply because the veld looks good and the animals appear healthy at the moment.”

Kobus du Plessis from Feedtek and Johan de Klerk from Ecovite during NAMPO.

For South African livestock farmers, winter remains an annual test of management, forward planning, and nutrition. Farmers who begin supplementing early generally reap the rewards later when calving and lambing seasons arrive and their animals remain strong and productive.

Kobus’s advice to farmers is simple: know your grazing, monitor the condition of your animals, and ensure that the necessary supplements are available in good time.

“Remember, winter supplementation is not just about keeping animals alive. It’s about protecting the potential of your herd and ensuring that you enter the next production season with strong, healthy animals,” he concludes.

For more information about Feedtek’s winter supplements, concentrates, and the Ecovite product range, contact your nearest Feedtek agent, visit the Feedtek website, call 086-111-5362, or email info@feedtek.co.za