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Survey highlights key influences on feed purchasing decisions

In a recent independent survey commissioned by Trident, more than 500 farmers were asked about their livestock feeding habits, and some of the influences behind the decisions that were made. With more than half (253) having sheep on their farms, the results raise some interesting points that are sure to stimulate debate amongst the UK’s sheep farmers.

“The survey offers a snapshot of current practices and issues, and was undertaken to provide a basis for discussion amongst and between farmers and the feed industry,” explains Trident technical manager Dr Michael Marsden. “The aim was to gain some insight into the factors affecting feed choice and use that are common to all sheep producers, whether hill or lowland flocks, and regardless of regional differences in feeding practice or feed availability.” 

Of the 253 sheep farmers surveyed, 200 were mixed farms with beef cattle also on the unit. Farm size ranged from less than 20ha to more than 500ha, whilst sheep flock size varied from less than 50 sheep to more than 500.

 Figure 1 – Types of feeds used by those surveyed

Asked what types of feed were used, there were some significant differences between the sheep only farmers and those also rearing beef (figure 1). A much higher proportion of the mixed farms fed silage (91% versus 67%) and straw (75% versus 31%), for example, with the use of long structural fibre to promote good rumen function known to be more common in beef cattle. The use of moist and liquid feeds was also more than double on mixed beef and sheep units.

“This is a direct reflection of the differing production systems used,” suggests Dr Marsden. “For most sheep farmers, grass is still the predominant feed for much of the year, so there’s much less focus on bought-in feeds than in the beef sector.

“Those sheep farmers that are feeding dry straights, moist co-products and liquid feeds are most likely intensive lamb finishers looking for fast growth rates and feeding total mixed rations (TMR) indoors.”

Liquid feeds are popular in some regions as a top-up feed for ewes needing to gain condition, typically offered in lick or ball feeders. But the low level of use (4%) suggests there are many more sheep farmers who could be benefiting from the advantages offered by liquid feeds.

“The same is true for moist feeds,” adds Dr Marsden. “As a supplement or replacement for poor winter forage quality or low forage stocks, they can be highly cost-effective.”

The most common reasons cited for using moist and liquid feeds were palatability (83%), improved ration quality (67%) and cost-effectiveness (60%). In fact, liquid feeds have been one of the best value sources of energy this last year, with prices rising much less than many of the other feeds typically used during late pregnancy and through lactation.

And when it comes to influencing those feed purchasing decisions, it’s the feed supplier that has the biggest impact, affecting 80% of choices made, according to the survey results (figure 2). Nutritionists (probably including EBLEX and SAC advisors) and other advisors (such as vets and business consultants) had slightly less impact, influencing 66-68% of feed purchasing decisions.

“As always, the farming media plays a significant role in which feeds sheep farmers choose to buy, and it’s clearly still an important source of feeding information for more than half (57%) of those surveyed,” states Dr Marsden. “The internet also now has a substantial impact, and was cited as an influence by 38% of the sheep farmers questioned – that’s more than a third, and likely to grow considerably in the next five to ten years as internet speeds and smartphone use increase.”

Figure 2 – Key influencers affecting feed purchasing decisions

The physical factors affecting feed choice also included both expected results and some surprises (figure 3). Cost, plus convenience, quality and nutritional value, unsurprisingly affected the vast majority of feed purchasing decisions (95-98%), but the significant number of respondents also taking environmental impact and sustainability into account (60%) was perhaps less expected.

Figure 3 – Factors affecting feed choice

“Simplicity is always a major focus for sheep farmers when it comes to developing effective and efficient feeding strategies, particularly as we continue to see ever larger numbers of livestock being managed by fewer staff,” states Dr Marsden.

When questioned about trends in feed use over the last five years, the highest ranked reason for sheep farmers increasing the use of bought-in feeds was convenience (57%). In contrast, it was expanding stock numbers that drove a rise in feed purchases for the majority of the mixed farms (68%).

“One of the most surprising results was the substantial number of feed choices affected by environmental concerns,” he concludes. “This may well be driven by those farming within nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs), but might also highlight an increased need to meet growing consumer pressure for more environmentally sensitive farming practices.

“It’s an area that’s likely to come under even greater scrutiny in the future, and acts as a timely reminder that the source, production methods and sustainability of livestock feeds are probably more important today than they’ve ever been in the past.”

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