10 steps to be ready for winter

With the first real snow of the season on the ground, we got to thinking about how things can change for our animals in the winter.  We know that cold weather can bring issues and concerns so here is a ten step plan for perparing your cattle herd for the winter.

1. Analyze hay for feeding value and 

develop a supplementation program to

meet energy, protein and mineral

requirements.

2. Keep hay or adequate pasture available

for cows at all times.

3. Record body condition scores on cows.

4. Make sure there is enough feed on

hand for the winter season to feed the

number of cattle on the farm.

5. Separate heifers, thin cows and old

cows from the main cow herd for

feeding purposes and separate lactating

cows from dry cows.

6. Re-group the cattle during the winter

as needed so that cattle that get thin

can be fed separately.

7. Cull chronically thin cattle, old cows,

and cattle with dental or health

problems.

8. Adjust rations as calving season

approaches to provide more energy and

protein.

9. Provide minerals at all times based on

requirements for the local area.

10. Provide adequate shelter from wet or cold weather.
Found at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/drought/10ptplan.pdf on November 15, 2010.