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Our nutrition expert from Bishop Burton College helps us to understand the how the forage shortage is having an impact and what you can do to make every bale count.

Making Every Bale Count: Navigating Haylage Shortages After the UK Drought

The UK’s record-breaking drought in 2025 has drastically reduced haylage supplies, forcing horse owners and farmers to adapt quickly. With grass yields down by 50–80% in some regions, the equine sector faces forage shortages, rising prices, and unpredictable availability.

To stretch limited forage supplies and minimise waste, adopting efficient feeding and storage practices is essential. Research indicates that up to 50% of hay can be wasted if fed directly on the ground, costing hundreds of pounds per horse annually. Key strategies include:

• Slow-feed haynets and double-netting: These devices slow the horse’s eating rate and can reduce waste by 30–60%, encouraging natural grazing patterns and extending feeding time.
• Hay feeders and raised feeding areas: Using feeders prevents trampling and contamination, keeping forage clean and saving around 30% of feed.
• Frequent smaller meals: Dividing daily rations into two or three feedings lessens trampling and helps forage last longer.
• Proper storage: Storing hay and haylage on pallets in well-ventilated, rodent-proof spaces prevents spoilage and nutrient loss.

These methods combined can significantly increase forage use efficiency, helping owners make every bale count during shortages.

When haylage is scarce, forage alternatives and replacers provide valuable support. Options include chopped chaff and fibre feeds that offer controlled calories and essential fibre, soaked sugar beet and grass nuts for horses with dental issues, and pelleted fibre feeds suitable for older or dehydrated horses. Quality straw can also replace up to 50% of hay rations for calorie-controlled diets, provided it is clean and free from dust.

Introducing new feeds should be gradual over 10–14 days to avoid digestive upset, and consulting a nutritionist or vet is advisable to tailor rations to individual horse needs and conditions such as laminitis or metabolic syndrome.

Monitoring horse condition is critical during forage shortages. Tools like weigh tapes and body condition scoring help ensure horses maintain healthy weight without overfeeding. Regular assessment combined with professional advice can prevent health issues and optimise feeding efficiency.

Beyond immediate feeding tactics, long-term resilience depends on pasture and soil health. Rotating grazing areas supports grass regrowth and reduces forage demand, while investing in soil management practices improves drought resistance for future seasons.

Key Takeaways:

• The 2025 UK drought has caused severe forage shortages and price rises, especially in southern and eastern regions.
• Efficient feeding practices - such as slow feeders, hay feeders, and smaller frequent meals - can reduce waste by up to 60%, extending limited supplies.
• Proper storage, pasture rotation, and soil health improvements help maintain forage quality and availability.
• Forage replacers like chopped chaff, soaked beet, and pelleted fibres offer practical alternatives when haylage is scarce.
• Monitoring horses’ body condition and consulting nutritionists ensures tailored feeding and health management.

Hannah Williams PGCE, MSc, BSc (Hons), BHS ISM, ANutr, FHEA