By Maile Matsimela
The harsh reality of winter poses significant challenges for livestock farmers across South Africa, particularly in drought-prone regions like Mpumalanga. As temperatures drop and grass quality deteriorates, the nutritional needs of livestock become increasingly difficult to meet through natural grazing alone.
“Winter is not just about the cold; it’s about survival for both the animals and the livelihood of communal farmers,” explained Gaolaolwe Ishmael Digame from Afrivet Training Services, while speaking to the farmers at the recent African Farming Financial and related Production Matters Workshop in Marble Hall, Limpopo.
“What many farmers don’t realise is that the brown winter grass isn’t just less abundant – it’s fundamentally lacking in the protein essential for proper digestion and animal health.”
The winter-feeding crisis stems from a complex interplay of factors that often go unnoticed until animals begin showing visible signs of distress. According to Digame, by the time farmers observe weight loss in their livestock, significant damage has already occurred at the metabolic level.
“The digestive system of ruminants relies heavily on microbes in the rumen to break down grass and extract nutrients,” Digame noted. “These microbes require protein to function effectively. When winter grass protein levels drop below 7%, these microbes essentially starve, slowing digestion to a crawl and preventing the animal from extracting sufficient nutrition from what they consume.”
This protein deficiency triggers a cascade of problems beyond simple weight loss. Fertility rates plummet as cows struggle to conceive. Those that do manage to become pregnant often face difficult calving due to poor body condition. Milk production decreases dramatically, affecting both dairy operations and the nutrition of calves. Perhaps most concerning is the increased vulnerability to diseases, including potentially fatal conditions like dry gall sickness.
“We’re not just talking about skinny cattle that will recover with the spring rains,” emphasised Digame. “We’re talking about long-term damage to reproduction cycles, immune function and overall herd productivity that can take years to recover from, if recovery is possible at all.”
The solution lies in strategic protein supplementation, but Digame stressed this is not as simple as putting out any commercial feed product and hoping for the best. Effective supplementation requires understanding the science behind rumen function and applying that knowledge to specific farm conditions.
“When we provide protein supplements, we’re primarily feeding the rumen microbes, not the animal directly,” Digame explained. “These microbes then multiply and become protein themselves, while also breaking down the fibrous winter grass more efficiently. It’s a fascinating process – by feeding microscopic organisms, we’re enabling the animal to extract more nutrition from the same poor-quality forage.”
Protein licks containing urea with nitrogen sources serve as concentrated protein factory, allowing rumen microbes to thrive even when natural protein sources are scarce. This microbial activity not only improves digestion but also enhances the animal’s overall metabolic efficiency.
“A properly supplemented cow can maintain reasonable body condition on the same winter grass that would cause severe weight loss in an unsupplemented animal,” said Digame. “The difference is remarkable, and it directly translates to economic benefits for the farmer.”
Successful supplementation isn’t just about providing the right nutrients – it’s about providing them at the right time and in the right way. Digame emphasised that timing is perhaps the most critical factor in supplementation strategy.
“Don’t wait until you see ribs showing before you start supplementation,” he advised. “Begin as the grass starts turning brown and protein levels decline. Early intervention prevents the downward spiral of poor rumen function and weight loss that becomes increasingly difficult to reverse as winter progresses.”
Implementation requires careful attention to several factors. Animals must be gradually introduced to protein licks to prevent overconsumption, which can lead to dangerous urea toxicity. Sufficient trough space must be provided to ensure that all animals, not just dominant ones, have access to the supplement.
“Position your licks strategically,” Digame recommended. “Keep them away from water sources to prevent contamination from rain, which can concentrate urea to dangerous levels. Monitor consumption regularly to ensure animals are taking in appropriate amounts – neither too little to be effective nor too much to cause toxicity.”
While protein supplementation is essential for winter survival, Digame was quick to highlight the potential dangers, particularly when using urea-containing products.
“Urea poisoning is a real and present danger when using protein supplements,” he cautioned. “When consumed in excessive amounts or when licks become wet from rain, urea can release ammonia too rapidly for the animal’s system to process, leading to toxicity and potentially death within hours.”
The symptoms of urea poisoning include excessive salivation, muscle tremors, abdominal pain, and eventually collapse. Digame stressed the importance of having emergency treatment supplies on hand.
“Every farmer using urea-containing supplements should keep vinegar readily available,” he stated. “At the first sign of poisoning, administer vinegar and water (ratio of 1:2) orally to neutralise the ammonia and drench the animal with cold water later to slow the absorption rate. Then seek veterinary assistance immediately.”
Prevention remains the best approach, with careful management of lick placement, protection from rainfall and gradual introduction to prevent overconsumption by hungry animals.
Many communal farmers hesitate to implement supplementation programmes due to concerns about cost. However, Digame argued that this perspective fails to account for the hidden costs of not supplementing.
“Yes, there is an upfront cost to supplementation,” he acknowledges. “But calculate what you lose when cows don’t conceive or when they abort, when calves die during birth, when milk production drops, when some cows keep a year without bearing a calf, when cattle sold at relatively low prices, or when animals die from preventable conditions like dry gall sickness. The economic equation strongly favours supplementation when you consider all factors.”
He suggested that farmers view supplementation not as an optional expense but as an essential investment in maintaining the value and productivity of their livestock assets.
“Think of it this way – the cost of supplementation is a fraction of the value of a single animal. If supplementation saves even one animal or ensures that your cows conceive on schedule, it has more than paid for itself.”
A necessity, not a luxury
As climate patterns become increasingly unpredictable and drought conditions more common, winter supplementation represents not a luxury but a necessity for sustainable livestock farming, particularly for communal farmers with limited resources.
“The days when cattle could simply endure winter on what nature provides are behind us in many regions,” concluded Digame. “Successful farmers adapt to these changing conditions by implementing scientific feeding strategies that maintain animal health and productivity even in the most challenging seasons.”
By understanding the biological mechanisms behind winter nutrition challenges and implementing carefully managed supplementation programmes, farmers can protect both their animals’ welfare and their own economic security through the difficult winter months.
“Ultimately, supplementation is about resilience – the resilience of the animals to withstand seasonal hardship and the resilience of farming communities to maintain productive herds despite increasingly challenging environmental conditions. With the right knowledge and implementation, communal farmers can navigate winter with healthy animals and ongoing productivity.”
More to read and watch:
Understanding mineral supplements for your cattle
Karan video series – Episode 3: Energy & protein supplements
Protect your livestock against wet, cold autumn weather – expert advice
