By Chris Hicks, County Director – UT Extension Smith County
The fall is easily my favorite time of year. Harvest time, mild temperatures, and football season are just a few of the things that make this time of year great in my opinion. Winter, on the other hand, is my least favorite, as I’m not a fan of being cold, wading in mud, and the sky being dark at 4:00 p.m. Unfortunately for me, fall usually goes by too fast, and winter seems to drag out forever.
While we may not want to think about it, winter will be here soon. For livestock producers, providing animals with proper nutrition during the winter is one of the most critical parts of livestock management and will directly affect production throughout the year. Let’s look at 5 thing that will help us prepare for winter.
1) Analyze your hay for quality and build a supplementation program around those results. Diets with adequate energy and protein are important for maximum production. Depending on forage quality, supplementing animals may be necessary when nutrient demands are not met by the basic diet they are offered. For about the cost of a fast-food meal, you can have your hay analyzed by a lab and determine exactly what the quality of your hay is and where supplementation is needed.
2) Separate animals based on their stage of production. The nutritional requirements of animals differ depending on factors such as age, health, and stage of production. For instance, a nursing cow will need more energy than a dry, pregnant cow. Keeping these animals in separate areas will help in winter feeding, especially if you are feeding hay that has a significant variation in quality.
3) Cull animals that don’t meet expectations. Feeding animals that don’t wean an offspring each year has never made much economic sense, and with the current high cost of feed, that won’t likely change this year. In addition to these, consider culling thin cattle, old cows, and cattle with bad health or disposition.
4) Don’t forget about minerals. It may be tempting to forget about supplying minerals this time of year, but providing high-quality mineral supplements year-round is critical. Although good quality hay will provide much of the protein and energy that is necessary, it will almost always be deficient in one or more minerals. Mineral supplements should be available at all times in a covered feeder, should be kept fresh and dry, and intake should be monitored to make sure cows consume the recommended amount.
5) Provide adequate shelter. Cows generate a lot of heat as they digest forages, so they can be comfortable when we feel very cold. However, in cases of extreme cold temperatures or when calving time is near, temporary or natural shelter should be provided. During severe drops in temperature, higher quality hay, grain, whole cottonseed, or other high energy sources can also be used to increase the energy content of the ration.
Winter will be here soon, and cooler temperatures will require more management from producers. Remembering these steps will help cattle make it through to spring in better condition. For more information on cattle nutrition, contact the University of Tennessee Extension office at 615-735-2900.
