If animal supplemental requirements are particularly high, some types of self-fed supplements may not allow for this to occur. Molasses is often used to stretch forage supplies, but just like grain supplements, molasses will require that a high quality protein supplement accompany it. High NPN supplements are not drought supplements. If stocking rate needs to be reduced, begin by culling the open cows, or dry spring and summer 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. Supplements high in natural protein may be fed as infrequently as twice, or, depending on level of protein deficiency, even once per week. Inject vitamin A or provide it in frequently fed supplements if it has been more than 3 to 4 months since there has been any green forage. Supplementation strategies in any number of situations is often just a best guess unless something is known about the diet quality in relation to animal requirements. By using some of the new technologies to define pasture diet quality, the guess-work is largely removed.