Pasture grows lush in summer, yet relying solely on grazing without supplementary feed will easily cause livestock weight loss, poor immunity and impaired breeding performance.
I. Why Livestock Lose Weight With Grazing Only
- Summer grass contains excessive water with low nutrient density. Livestock eat a large volume but absorb insufficient nutrition.
- High temperatures suppress feed intake of cattle and sheep. Fresh grass alone cannot meet their demands for fattening, lactation and fetal development.
- Livestock consume more energy during grazing activities, leading to slow weight gain without concentrated feed supplements.
- Green grass lacks sufficient minerals and trace elements. Deficiencies result in pica, hoof diseases and low breeding efficiency.
II. Scientific Supplementary Feeding Program for Summer
1. Concentrate Supplement
- Fattening cattle & sheep: Feed concentrates twice in cool morning and evening, at 1%~1.5% of body weight per day.
- Pregnant & lactating cows/ewes: Increase daily concentrate dosage to 0.8%~1.2% of body weight to support fetus and lamb/calf growth.
- Breeding bulls & rams: Keep consistent concentrate feeding to maintain stamina for mating.
- Formula suggestion: Corn for energy, soybean meal for protein, plus wheat bran for gut health; limit oily ingredients in hot summer.
2. Mix Hay & Roughage
High-moisture fresh grass alone triggers diarrhea and rumen discomfort.
Supply quality hay, corn straw or peanut vine at dusk or night, accounting for 20%~30% of total daily ration.
Cut down grazing time on rainy or dewy days, and feed more hay plus concentrates instead.
3. Constant Supply of Minerals & Salt
Heavy sweating in summer causes massive loss of salt and trace elements. Salt deficiency leads to anorexia, fatigue and wool/grass eating.
Hang nutritional mineral blocks in barns to supply salt, macro & trace minerals and vitamins in one simple, safe and effective product.
4. Heat Stress Relief & Appetite Stimulation
Prepare veterinary electrolyte multidimensional and Huoxiang Zhengqi oral liquid mixed in drinking water to relieve heat stress.
Feed moderate pumpkin, carrot and vine crops to clear internal heat and boost appetite; never feed rotten or moldy grass.
III. Schedule for Grazing & Feeding
- Grazing hours: 5:00–9:00 in the early morning, after 16:00 in the afternoon. Avoid grazing at noon during extreme heat.
- Supplementary feeding: Offer concentrates and hay before grazing and after returning to barns.
- Drinking water: Provide unlimited clean cold water all day; avoid stagnant pond water or sun-heated hot water.
IV. 4 Common Misoperations to Avoid
Do not fully replace concentrates and roughage with green grass. Follow the principle: 70% grazing + 30% supplementary feed to maintain stable body condition.
Do not let livestock graze on heavy dew grass with empty stomach, which causes bloat and severe diarrhea.
Never drastically increase concentrate dosage at once; fragile rumens in summer are prone to acidosis.
Avoid long-term fixed grazing on a single pasture. Rotational grazing prevents grass degradation and parasite proliferation.