Winter is where a lot of next year's calf crop is won or lost. Cows that go into calving season in good condition calve easier, have higher milk production, and have higher conception rates. Cows that slip through the winter come out of it behind, and that shows up in the pasture, the sale barn, and the calving book for months afterward.
The good news is that winter feeding does not have to be complicated. It comes down to three things: knowing where your cows stand, knowing what is in your hay, and adjusting when the weather turns.
Start with Body Condition
Body condition score (BCS) is the simplest tool you have for judging whether your feed program is working. Most beef producers use a 1 to 9 scale, where 1 is emaciated and 9 is obese.
|
Score |
What You See |
|
3 (Thin) |
Backbone, hip bones, and ribs easily visible |
|
4 (Borderline) |
Some fat cover, but the last few ribs still show |
|
5 (Moderate) |
Ribs visible only when the animal has been shrunk; good overall appearance |
|
6 (Good) |
Ribs not noticeable; hindquarters full |
|
7 (Fleshy) |
Fat cover in abundance on either side of the tailhead |
Aim for a BCS of 5 to 6 at calving for mature cows and 6 for first-calf heifers, which are still growing and nursing a calf at the same time. Condition at calving matters: research from the University of Georgia found pregnancy rates around 60% for cows calving at a BCS of 4, compared with 86% to 89% for cows at a 5.
The stretch from weaning to calving is the easiest and most economical time to add condition. Once cows reach late gestation, their nutrient needs climb, and putting weight on becomes harder and more expensive. Score your herd now, again in mid-winter, and before calving, so you can adjust while there is still time.
If you can, sort cows into groups by condition and stage. Thin cows and first-calf heifers do better when they do not have to compete with dominate cows at the bale.
Know What Is in Your Hay
Two bales can look the same and feed very differently. Hay quality depends on the forage species, the cutting, how mature it was at harvest, and how it was stored. The only way to know what you are feeding is to test it.
Know What Your Forage Is Providing
As cattle head into the winter months, forage quality becomes especially important when it comes to maintaining body condition and supporting herd performance. A forage analysis can tell you much more than just the crude protein percentage. Look for 10-16% crude protein, adequate rumen degradable protein (RDP) to support rumen microbes, and strong energy values such as 60%+ total digestible nutrients (TDN). Fiber is just as important - lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), higher NDF digestibility, and lower lignin generally indicates forage that cattle can consume and utilize more efficiently. Remember, cattle cannot maintain body condition on forage alone if the quality or available energy does not meet their nutritional demands.
Before winter sets in, test your hay and know exactly what your cattle are being offered. Pay attention to dry matter, protein, fiber, energy, minerals, and nitrates, rather than relying on appearance alone. Quality forage can help cattle maintain condition, but if the analysis shows gaps, supplementation can be used strategically to fill those nutritional needs. Starting with a forage analysis allows you to build a winter-feeding program around what the forage is actually providing and helps prevent cattle from losing valuable body condition when cold weather increases their nutritional demands.
Once you have results, put your hay to work where it fits best:
-
Feed your best hay to first-calf heifers, cows in late gestation, and lactating cows.
-
Save lower-quality hay for mature, dry cows in mid-gestation, with protein supplement as needed.
-
Store hay under cover and off the ground to protect quality.
-
Feed in round bale feeders to cut down on waste.
Talk with our team about hay testing options (this is specifically geared toward equine) before you build your winter ration. For more on keeping stored feed in good shape, see Feed Storage Tips.
Energy and Cold Stress
Cattle handle cold well, up to a point. That point is called the lower critical temperature, and it depends a lot on the animal's coat. Below it, a cow has to burn extra energy just to stay warm.
|
Coat Condition |
Lower Critical Temperature |
|
Summer coat or wet |
60°F |
|
Dry fall coat |
45°F |
|
Dry winter coat |
32°F |
|
Dry, heavy winter coat |
19°F |
For every degree below that temperature, a cow's energy requirement rises by about 1%, according to the Ohio State University Beef Team. Notice how much a wet coat changes the picture. A cow soaked by freezing rain can be cold-stressed at temperatures a dry cow would handle easily.
|
Effective Temperature |
Extra TDN Needed |
Extra Hay Needed (lbs./cow/day) |
or, Extra Grain Needed, (lbs/cow/day) |
|
50 F |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
+30 F |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
10 F |
20% |
3.5-4 lbs |
2-2.5 lbs |
|
-10 F |
40% |
7-8 lbs |
4-6 lbs. |
A few practical ways to help cattle through cold snaps:
-
Offer extra hay ahead of and during cold, wet, or windy weather. Digesting forage produces heat, which helps cattle stay warm.
-
Provide windbreaks, whether natural tree lines, buildings, or portable panels.
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Give cattle a dry place to lie down. Bedding helps keep coats dry and insulating.
-
Watch thin cows and first-calf heifers most closely, since they have the least reserve to draw on.
Protein and Mineral Support
When hay alone does not meet your cows' needs, a protein supplement can help them get more out of the forage they are eating. The 24% Protein Molasses Beef Tub is built for fall, winter, and spring feeding when pasture declines and hay takes over, adding protein to support rumen function. Feed it alongside a free-choice mineral, per the label.
The tub doesn't just add protein - it helps wake up the rumen. Protein feeds the microbes that digest the forage, while increased chewing and saliva help create the rumen environment those microbes need to work. The result can be better fiber digestion, improved forage intake, and more usable energy from lower-quality hay or pasture.
Mineral matters all year, and winter is no exception. Stored hay loses vitamin A over time, so a complete mineral with added vitamins helps fill the gap. The Mill Bel Air Beef Breeder HiMag Mineral is our year-round brood cow mineral, and its higher magnesium level helps protect against grass tetany as lush spring grass comes in. For herds focused on breeding performance, VitaFerm Concept-Aide 5S adds organic trace minerals and vitamin E.
Learn more in Cattle Mineral 101 and Grass Tetany in Cattle.
Don't Forget Water
Water drives feed intake. Cattle that cannot drink enough will eat less, no matter how good the hay is. Snow is not a substitute. For help choosing tank de-icers and keeping water open all winter, see Keeping Water Open: Winter Water for Livestock and Poultry.
Weaned Calves and Replacement Heifers
Weaned calves and replacement heifers need to keep growing through the winter, not just hold steady. They need a higher plane of nutrition than mature cows. For weaned calves 650 pounds and up, The Mill Bel Air Stock Grower is a 14% protein grower feed built to keep them gaining. For more on getting calves off to a good start, see Prepping for Weaning Season.
Winter Feeding Checklist
-
Body condition score cows now, mid-winter, and before calving.
-
Test your hay for protein and energy.
-
Sort cows by condition and stage when you can.
-
Feed the best hay to the cows that need it most.
-
Add protein supplement when hay falls short.
-
Keep free-choice mineral available all winter.
-
Increase hay ahead of cold, wet, or windy weather.
-
Provide windbreaks and dry bedding.
-
Keep water open and clean every day.
Plan Ahead for Calving
The work you put in this winter pays off at calving. For a checklist of what to have ready before calves arrive, see Preparing Your Farm for Calves, Kids, and Lambs. Stop by any of our locations and our livestock team will help you put together a winter feeding plan that fits your herd and your hay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What body condition score should beef cows be at calving?
Aim for a BCS of 5 to 6 for mature cows and 6 for first-calf heifers on the 1 to 9 scale. Cows calving thinner than a 5 tend to take longer to breed back.
How much more feed do cattle need in cold weather?
For every degree below a cow's lower critical temperature, her energy needs rise by about 1%. For a cow with a dry winter coat, that temperature is around 32°F. Wet or windy conditions raise it significantly.
When do beef cows need a protein supplement in winter?
When hay tests below about 7% crude protein, cows usually need a protein supplement to digest their forage efficiently. A hay test is the best way to know.
What is the best time to put weight on thin cows?
Between weaning and calving. Adding condition before late gestation is easier and more economical than trying to catch up right before calving.
Do cattle need mineral in the winter?
Yes. Stored hay loses vitamin A over time, and cattle need a balanced mineral year-round. A high-magnesium mineral also helps protect against grass tetany as spring grass comes in.
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