Preparing dairy cows for spring turnout – nutrition and management tips

Spring turnout is a critical period for dairy herds. While grazing brings many benefits, sudden dietary and social changes can impact cow productivity.

To help make this transition as smooth as possible, here are some key strategies for preparing your herd for spring turnout.

Be flexible with your turnout date

Many dairy farmers stick to a historical turnout date each year. However, given the increased seasonal variability and unpredictability of recent springs, this is no longer realistic and can lead to missed opportunities.

Instead of waiting for a set date, consider a flexible approach. If conditions allow, begin turnout earlier by introducing cows to pasture for just a few hours a day. This gradual adjustment prevents the stress of a sudden dietary shift and helps manage grass regrowth effectively.

If the weather turns bad, bringing cows back inside for a short period is a better option than forcing them to graze under poor conditions which may cause lost performance and damage to grazing fields.

Group cows before turnout

Social changes and dietary shifts at the same time can create unnecessary stress for cows.

To minimise disruption, pre-grouping cows several weeks before turnout is recommended. This is particularly important for herds where only a portion of cows will graze, such as mid- and late-lactation cows in year-round calving systems.

Keeping them together on a winter diet before turnout allows them to settle socially before experiencing dietary change. When the time comes to introduce grazing, these groups will then be ready to adjust more easily.

Support the rumen

Switching from a high-fibre, fermented forage-based winter diet to lush, protein-rich spring grass presents a challenge for the rumen.  

The microbial population in the rumen needs time to adapt, and a sudden change can lead to digestive inefficiencies, reducing milk production and cow health. 

Gradual turnout helps, but additional support for the rumen can improve outcomes. Many farmers are now using live yeast-based supplements to stabilise rumen function at turnout.  

These supplements help maintain a balanced microbial population, improve fibre digestion, and increase feed efficiency.  

On-farm trial evidence shows that feeding the rumen-specific live yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077, known as Levucell SC, during the grazing season, improved rumen efficiency – resulting in an average milk yield increase of 0.5 litres per day, with higher butterfat and protein levels.

Optimise buffer feeding

Buffer feeding plays a key role in supporting rumen function at turnout. As cows begin grazing, their intake of fresh grass increases while winter rations decrease. However, spring grass is typically high in protein and low in fibre, making it essential to finetune supplementary feeding. 

Regular grass analysis throughout the season allows farmers to adjust buffer feeds based on nutrient content. If grass protein levels are high, reducing protein in the total mixed ration (TMR) or parlour compound can prevent imbalances. 

Additionally, supplementing magnesium in the buffer feed can help protect against hypomagnesaemia (staggers), a common risk at turnout.

Top tips for a successful turnout