October is a great time to start planning for winter supplementation.It is not that this month is always the cheapest time to buy feed. Prices, freight, hay supplies, drought, and local availability can all change fast. What makes October important is that it gives you something January often cannot—time.
You have time to check your forage, score your cows’ body condition, compare supplements, and decide how hay fits in. Most importantly, you can fix problems before cold weather and late gestation make things harder.
The goal is not to overfeed. Instead, find out what your cattle are missing and fill that gap without spending extra money.
Cows eating dormant forage might need protein, energy, minerals, or a mix of these. What they need depends on forage quality, cow condition, production stage, weather, and how much forage is available.
So before buying tubs, cubes, or blocks, take a good look at your own ranch first.
