Winter Feeding of Beef Cattle – Vet Guide 2025 ❄️🐄

Greetings! I'm Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. With winter approaching, it's time to revisit your beef cattle’s nutrition plan. Poor winter feeding can lead to lost condition, reduced fertility, and lower calf performance. Let’s dive into how to keep your herd thriving.

1. Monitor Body Condition Score (BCS)

Evaluate each cow on a 1–9 scale (1 = emaciated, 9 = obese). Aim for BCS 5–6 during late fall/winter to support calving, lactation, and breeding.

2. Test Your Forage

Analyze hay/grass for:

• Crude protein
• Total digestible nutrients (TDN)
• Fiber (NDF/ADF)
• Minerals – calcium, phosphorus, magnesium
• Vitamins – A and E deficiencies are common in stored forage

3. Calculate Intake Needs

Winter cows will consume ~2–3% of body weight (dry matter). For a 1,000-pound cow, that means 20–30 pounds daily. Remember, intake depends on forage quality and weather.

4. The Critical Role of Protein

Cow’s rumen relies on microbes to digest fiber. These microbes need protein for growth. Low protein forage → slow digestion and low intake. Protein supplements help maintain rumen function, increase forage intake, and support weight and reproductive health.

5. Supplement Wisely

• Source: Options include urea, soybean meal, alfalfa pellets, commercial protein blocks.
• Timing: Introduce in fall, before condition loss begins.
• Rate: Tailor to forage test results; typically 1–3 lbs/head/day.

6. Partner with Professionals

Use veterinary and extension support to calculate nutrient needs and design rations. Online tools are helpful, but customized advice ensures herd success.

7. Feeding Management Tips

• Provide free-choice, clean water—even in winter.
• Offer supplements in feeding racks to minimize waste.
• Group cows by condition—feed thin cows separately for focused nutrition.

8. Track Performance

• Monthly BCS checks
• Note breeding success rates—condition affects fertility
• Track calf weights—well-nourished cows produce healthier calves.

9. Ask A Vet Integration Benefits

• Hay/Test Log: Upload forage data into Shopify-linked tools to automate supplement recommendations.
• Condition Scoring App: Capture & track BCS for herd trends.
• Feed Calculator: Whether using forage alone or supplements, get nutritional balancing tools.

10. Return-on-Investment (ROI)

Well-fed cows have:

• Better condition to support breeding & calving
• Higher pregnancy rates and calving success
• Heavier calves at weaning—boosting revenue
• Fewer vet visits and lower health costs

Conclusion

Plan now: assess BCS, test forage, prep protein supplements, and monitor progress. With Ask A Vet’s integration in 2025, you can balance rations quickly, track herd health consistently, and maximize herd performance throughout winter.

Want assistance designing your winter feeding plan? Contact Ask A Vet today—and let’s ensure your cattle enter spring strong and productive.