If animal supplemental requirements are particularly high, some self-fed supplements may not allow for this to occur. Molasses can be used to stretch short grass, but just like grain supplements, molasses will require that a high quality protein supplement accompany it. NPN is NOT a drought supplement. If stocking rate needs to be reduced, begin by culling the open cows, or dry spring ewes. When purchasing feed, forward contracting and bulk storage are ways to trim a few dollars.
Late summer is typically when feedstuffs are cheapest.
Reduce feeding frequency. Protein supplements may be fed as infrequently as twice, or even once per week. Inject vitamin A if it has been more than four months since there has been any green forage. This assumes that a large percentage of the animal's requirements would be met with supplement. By using some of the new technologies to define pasture diet quality, the guess work is removed.