Specialist Nutrition

Call Directions Website

Specialist Nutrition Ireland’s expert partner in moist feed & on-farm nutrition. Specialist Nutrition offers bespoke Nutritional advice and products to Ireland leading farmers.

Supporting dairy, beef & pig farmers with scientifically-backed solutions to boost herd performance. 🌾 Established in 1999, Specialist Nutrition is the market leader in by-product management to Ireland’s growing drinks industry. Our products include moist feeds & liquid feeds as well as a wide selection of nutrition products, which combined with our technical expertise means we can offer complete bespoke nutrition solutions to dairy & beef farmers across Ireland. Our growing product range reflects the increasing requirement for high performance nutrition products, which the changing needs of our market requires. We will continue to meet the demands of our customers, with a particular focus on efficient expansion of their farming enterprise.

05/10/2026

With fodder supplies under pressure on many farms, now is the time to work out exactly what you have available for the winter ahead.

Start by calculating demand, measuring your silage pit, counting bales and testing silage quality. Knowing what you have now gives you much more time to react if there is a shortfall.

It also means you can prioritise your better-quality silage for the animals that need it most.

Need help planning your winter feeding strategy? Speak to the Specialist Nutrition team on +353 (0) 51 833071.

04/10/2026

Short on forage? Before making changes to the diet, know exactly what you’re working with.🐄👇

Testing your forage helps identify your better-quality silages so they can be prioritised for higher-producing animals, while options such as increased straw inclusion may help stretch forage supplies in suitable dry cow diets.

A small bit of planning now can make a big difference later in the winter.

Speak to our nutrition team for advice on making the most of the forage available on your farm.

26/09/2026

Do you know how much silage you actually have in the yard?

For pit silage, measure the length × breadth × height in metres, then divide by 1.35 to estimate your available tonnage.

Round bales will generally weigh in the region of 850–950kg.

Add the two together and you have a much clearer picture of the silage available for the winter ahead.

Once you know your supply, the next step is comparing it against your herd’s expected demand.

25/09/2026

Specialist Nutrition currently has availability of Malt culms.

Produced as a co-product of the brewing industry, these 6mm pellets provide a useful source of fibre, alongside approximately 7–8% sugar, 20% starch and 16% protein.

They can be incorporated into forage or TMR diets and may provide another option for farmers looking to stretch available forage supplies this winter.

For availability and advice on including Malt Culms in your diet, contact the Specialist Nutrition team on +353 (0) 51 833071.

24/09/2026

Four or five years later and these Silostop Anti-UV covers are still doing their job.👌👨‍🌾

Nigel checks in on a silage pit protected using Silostop Orange oxygen barrier film and the reusable Anti-UV cover – with the silage underneath still in excellent condition.

For farmers looking to protect silage quality while reducing the labour involved in covering the pit, Silostop provides a robust system that can be reused year after year.

Want to find out more about the Silostop range? Call Specialist Nutrition on +353 (0) 51 833071.

16/09/2026

Getting dry cow nutrition right starts well before calving.

Body condition should be monitored in late lactation, with the feeding approach adjusted as cows move from the far-off dry period into the final weeks before calving.

Mineral timing is also key. Dry cows should be on a suitable dry cow mineral for around six weeks pre-calving, while heifers should receive minerals for around eight weeks.

In the final three to four weeks before calving, transition management becomes especially important. A good-spec dry cow mineral should provide key nutrients including selenium, iodine, vitamin E and phosphorus.

Depending on silage analysis and mineral balance, additional support such as magnesium flakes or anionic salts may also be required in the final weeks.

The aim is simple: support cows to calve down in good condition, clean properly, come into milk well and transition into lactation without unnecessary issues.

For advice on dry cow nutrition and transition diets, contact the Specialist Nutrition team on +353 (0)51 833071.

16/09/2026

Short on silage for the winter ahead? The first step is knowing exactly what quality you have in the yard.

Test your silage for energy, protein and DMD, then use it strategically. Keep your better-quality silage for milking cows and finishing cattle, while lower-quality silage can be used for dry cows once the diet is properly balanced.

Dry cow diets can also offer an opportunity to stretch silage supplies. Around 1kg of straw can replace 4–5kg of silage, with options such as hulls or palm kernel also helping to reduce silage demand.

But don’t cut back without balancing the diet. If higher levels of straw are being included, additional energy and protein may be needed to ensure cows are properly supported approaching calving.

If you’re facing a winter fodder deficit, speak to the Specialist Nutrition team about making the most of the feed you have available.

📞 +353 (0)51 833071

15/09/2026

Don’t wait until you’re halfway through winter to find out you’re short on silage.

With around one third of farms surveyed in August reporting a fodder shortage for the winter ahead, now is the time to get your fodder budget done.

Start by working out your demand based on stock numbers and the expected housing period, then measure what you actually have in the pits and count your bales.

If there’s a deficit, identifying it early gives you more time to plan your options.

And don’t forget to test your silage. Knowing the energy, protein and DMD of what’s in the yard is essential when planning the winter diet.

Need help with your winter feeding plan? Contact the Specialist Nutrition team on +353 (0)51 833071.

08/09/2026

Once the maize crop is ready, the next key step is getting the ensiling process right.

Maize is naturally a high dry matter crop, often reaching around 30% DM. With less moisture available, fermentation can be more challenging, making the right silage additive an important part of the process.

The Magniva maize additive range is designed to work in these higher dry matter conditions, supporting fermentation, helping bring down pH and improving stability in the pit.

The aim is simple: shorten the fermentation period, minimise dry matter losses and leave more valuable feed available for the cows.

For advice on maize ensiling and choosing the right additive for your crop, contact the Specialist Nutrition team on 051 833071.

03/09/2026

Maize crops have performed very differently this season depending on soil type and moisture availability.

Crops grown on loamy or slightly heavier soils that held onto moisture through the drought have generally performed very well, with good starch levels expected.

On gravelly, free-draining ground, the prolonged dry spell had a much bigger impact. Crops ran short of moisture earlier, which stunted growth and is likely to leave yields significantly back.

A challenging season, but soil type and moisture retention have made a clear difference in how crops have come through it.

For advice on maize varieties and making the most of your home-grown forage, contact the Specialist Nutrition team on +353 (0) 51 833071.

Address

Ballymountain
Waterford

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+35351833071

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Specialist Nutrition posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share