Stress is a term commonly used today, and something as a nutritional advisor we don't know where to go or how to respond when we meet with the phenomenon, either in the paddock, on the feedpad or at the kitchen table. But to be sure we have come across a lot of it this past spring, still currently seeing a lot of it but more importantly stress has been a fact of life on farms around the world for years and centuries. Half the battle I see in my meager experience is realizing that you're not alone and that a lot of compatriots are in the same boat.

So quickly to say that there is a strong relationship between stress with the pasture plant in the paddock and possibly some of the stress that your experiencing at the Milk $$ income level. Some causative factors are within your control but there are a lot that are out of your control. Please do not be afraid to ask for help or guidance from both, technical farm advisors, like Keenan Mech-fiber™ Specialists, and personal advice that may be the meeting and talking through issues off farm with friends or other professionals in the agri-industry.

So what has been the cycle of events that have been experienced on farm, currently and during this past Spring? Earlier in the season In the paddock, the grass was stressed with a grey reddish colour due to the intensity and longevity of the cold and wet. That colour has changed to a normal green hue now in the paddocks but unfortunately the stress levels experienced by the grass plant to date has led to a rapid seeding of pasture swards which are highly fibrous (>45% NDF) and low in both energy ( and protein ( density. This has led to lower production response from the herd in the milk vat where targeted supplementary feed was not practiced to maintain a predictable performance. The follow on from a lower production (milk yield, fat yield and protein yield) response has been an effect on a less than ideal cash flow response to your business - And the summer holidays are coming!

For professional help in relation to stress related issues you can call the beyondblue helpline on 131114, otherwise we would also suggest finding your local Rural Counselling Service which you can find by searching Rural Counselling Service in Google and clicking on your relevant location.