Winter brings a unique set of challenges for livestock producers. As temperatures drop, pastures go dormant, leaving forages unable to meet the nutritional demands of your animals. This challenge means purchasing supplemental feed becomes necessary, but with feed prices often climbing this season, balancing animal health and budget concerns can feel like walking a tightrope.
The real struggle lies in making intelligent decisions about feed purchases. Some producers try to cut costs by sticking to their usual routine, not realizing that winter nutrition demands differ. Others overcompensate and spend too much, assuming that throwing money at the problem will guarantee results. Unfortunately, both approaches can hurt profitability and production in the long run.
The key is finding the right balance—providing the nutrition your animals need while keeping costs in check. Efficient winter feeding is about understanding your options, planning carefully, and avoiding common pitfalls. In this article, we’ll explore five practical tips to help you lower your feed costs without sacrificing production.
Use the correct type of feed.
Some people can get tripped up when using the correct feed type. They just put out anything that looks good and hope for the best. Making sure that you put out the right kind of feed is essential. After all, not all feeds are created equal and provide the same outcome.
When it comes to winter supplements, the main one that people go with is hay. Generally, hay is cheaper than other supplements such as cake or textured feed. The problem is that even if you put out hay, that does not mean the nutritional needs are being met. You will still need to provide a different supplement with hay. In order to make sure that you are using your money effectively, you will need to have your hay tested to know what nutrients are being provided and what needs to be supplemented.
Another mistake some people need to correct is comparing the sticker prices of different supplements. Just because something is cheaper does not always mean that it is the best option. Often, you will have to provide more of the cheaper ones to get the same result, which is just a waste of money. Whenever you are comparing supplement feed, do it on a cost per pound of, say, protein. This tactic will give you a more “apples-to-apples” comparison.
Maximizing grazing
It goes without saying that the cheapest feed that you can have is the forages in the pasture. The more they can get their nutrition from the grasses, the less feed you will need to buy. Extending your grazing season is an excellent way to reduce feed costs.
One way that you can improve grazing is to promote better grazing distribution. Having a pasture full of high-quality grass does you no good if the cows only stay close to where the water is. You can promote a more even grazing distribution by strategically placing supplements. You start by placing them close to where they like to congregate, then start moving them further to get them to other parts of the pasture.
Though it is a little late now, another way that you can extend your grazing season is by using cool-season grasses. The type that you use will determine how much more grazing you will get. A good one like wheat can extend it from November 1 all the way to March 1. Also, using a small grain like wheat can add to your profitability by providing a second income from harvesting it also.
Balancing Feed Quality and Budget
When feed prices climb, it’s natural to want to cut costs by choosing the cheapest option. But the saying “you get what you pay for” often applies here. Lower-cost feed seems like a good deal, but if it doesn’t provide the nutrients your animals need, you could spend even more on additional supplements or dealing with reduced production. That’s why it’s essential to take a step back and consider feed an investment, not just an expense.
High-quality feed might cost a little more upfront but can pay off in the long run. Animals that receive balanced nutrition are healthier, more productive, and less likely to need costly veterinary care. Plus, higher-quality feed tends to result in less waste. For example, better hay might be more palatable and provide more nutrients, meaning your animals eat and benefit more from every bite. It’s about maximizing the value of every dollar you spend.
One way to make smarter decisions is by comparing feed options based on cost per unit of nutrition. For instance, consider how much protein, energy, or other nutrients you’re getting for the money instead of just looking at the sticker price. This approach helps you avoid false savings and ensures you’re spending wisely. Sometimes, a little extra upfront research and investment can make a big difference in your herd’s performance and bottom line.
Group by body condition score
It is a simple fact that cows with different body condition scores have different nutrient requirements. Body condition score (BCS) is a numerical scale used to evaluate the amount of fat and muscle on a cow’s body. Cows with a BCS of 5 or 6 will not have the same needs as those with a BCS of 3. Dividing your herd into groups with similar body condition scores will help you be more efficient with your feed.
Another way this can help is by giving the thinner ones more access to feed. The thinner ones are often the more timid ones out of the herd, so they do not get as much of a chance to eat as the more assertive ones. By dividing the group and removing that hierarchy, the timid ones can get an opportunity to eat what they need.
From a management standpoint, dividing the herd up makes sense as well. Putting the cows into different groups will help you with any culling decisions that you might need to make. If you group the more timid ones together and they are still performing poorly, it is likely time to get rid of them.
Make sure mineral intake is correct.
Consistent intake of good-quality minerals is the key to any nutritional program. Good-quality minerals include those that are highly bioavailable and contain the necessary nutrients for your animals. When the animal’s mineral needs are met, they can better digest and absorb the other feeds. So, in order to be the most efficient with your winter supplements, make sure that they have access to a good mineral.
Now, this does not mean that any old mineral supplement will do. Phosphorus is one of the most essential minerals during the winter months. It is high in grains like corn or dried distiller grains but is not so high in forages. This mineral is a crucial element in their body’s energy transfer. It is also an essential component in their bones and teeth, playing a key role in bone formation and energy metabolism.
Over-consumption in the short-term is not that big of a problem and can happen if they have not had access to it before then. It can also occur if forage protein is lacking. If they are eating too much of it, one way to stop that is by moving the feeder further away from where they like to hang out. If they are eating less than they should, you can move it closer or mix it with something like dried molasses or something like soybean meal to make it more palatable.
Avoid hay waste this winter
Properly storing your hay is one way to reduce waste. The best way to keep it is inside a building. However, if that is not an option, a well-drained pad such as gravel will do. Also, stack the bales far enough apart to let proper airflow. I go into more detail on the better ways to store your hay in a previous article, “5 rules for proper hay storage.”
To get the best return, use the right type of hay in the correct order. Since the nutrient demand is low, you can use your older or lower-quality hay earlier in the season. Then, as the season progresses and the cows enter the later stages of gestation, they start putting out the better quality.
You can also waste hay based on how you lay it out. Putting out a smaller amount more frequently will make less waste. The type of hay feeder that you use will also influence this. According to research, the most efficient hay feeder is the cone style, where only 3-10% of the hay is wasted. They found that switching to a cone feeder resulted in reducing winter hay costs by 53% per head.
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