Winter Feeding for Cattle

As we move closer to cold weather, it is a good time to think about strategies for winter feeding of livestock. The cost of winter feeding the cow herd makes up 40 to 50% of the total variable costs of producing a weaned calf. Because winter nutrition is vital to calf health and cow reproduction, you must supply adequate nutrition while avoiding feed waste.

The goals of a winter feeding program may vary by calving season. Most beef herds calve in the spring or fall. In either case, we want to provide an economical ration that meets the cattle’s nutritional needs. Calves must be vigorous at birth since many are born during periods of cold stress, and the cows need to have an adequate milk supply.  After calving in the spring, cows need to cycle early and be in good condition so that pregnancy occurs before periods of extreme heat (in July).  The goals for fall calving herds are similar, but cows need to rebreed in December/January (accumulated fescue can work well for this). Calves also need supplemental feed from Feb. 15 to Apr. 15 when pastures are not normally available.

Dr. Roy Burris, UK Extension Beef Specialist explains that cattle in different developmental stages have different nutrient needs. You can meet these needs by separating the herd into groups with similar nutrient needs. You also make the most efficient use of feed resources this way. Not all facilities may be able to accommodate all the different groups of cattle you may have so stick with whatever amount of grouping you can do. If you can only do limited grouping, separate the animals having the greatest differences in nutrient needs and feed accordingly.

You also must consider the special problems of cold winter weather. Cold increases the rate at which feed passes through the digestive tract. Less time in the digestive tract means less digestion of nutrients. In other words, a high-fiber, lower-digestible feed provides even fewer nutrients in cold winter weather.

Cold weather also increases the cattle’s nutrient requirements, especially for energy. As wind chill drops below the low critical temperature for the animal, the amount of energy required for maintenance increases. Thus, prolonged cold periods decrease the digestion of nutrients from feed and increase the animal’s energy requirements. Producers can cope with long periods of cold by increasing the quality of the forage being fed or by substituting concentrates for a portion of the forage.

Certain nutrients, such as water, require specific attention in winter. If water intake is limited by freezing or cold weather, feed intake, especially of hay, decreases. Producers must keep water sources open in the winter and, if possible, above 40°F for maximum feed intake.

Vitamin A is critical. This is especially true in winter. Cows consuming high-fiber, low-quality hay and coming out of a hard winter will have used most of the vitamin A in their bodies. Supplement the vitamin in the winter by either feeding or injecting.

The greatest out-of-pocket expense for winter feeding is generally protein supplementation. Test your forage for protein content before you add a protein supplement. If a supplement is needed, do not purchase on price alone. Instead, purchase a supplement that is useful; that is, one high in natural protein. High NPN supplements have limited usefulness for cows being wintered on low-quality hays.

For more information on winter feeding of cattle, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.