Preparing cattle for the winter starts long before the days get shorter. Cattle preparation starts with a solid foundation in health and nutrition. Cattle that are healthy and maintain a good Body Condition Score (BCS) are ready for the winter months. Here are some specific tips to help prepare your cattle.
BCS your herd early. Late summer or early fall is the ideal time for BCS, but it is never too late. Set aside some time and BCS your herd, recording their scores for future reference. Cattle with a BCS of 5 or 6 will do better in the winter months. Group cattle with a BCS of 4 separately, and work at increasing their BCS to 5 or 6.
Add feeders to pastures to supplement fall grazing. Move your feeders periodically to minimize soil damage. If hay is fed on the ground, place it in different locations every day to improve the soil quality with the uneaten hay.
Beware that some forages are toxic to cattle after frost. Sorghum and Sudangrass are examples that must be avoided for a few weeks after the first frost. Know what is in your fields and do your research to keep your livestock safe.
Do a herd health check. Consult your veterinarian for any fall vaccinations that are
required. Winter lice, pneumonia, and hoof rot can be problems in colder
weather. Taking the necessary steps now can prevent them from entering your
herd.
Preparing Your
Ranch for The Cold
The ranch is the other
half of the equation in preparing for colder months. Stockmen and women spend
long hours on the ranch, and extreme weather can make this work more
challenging. By preparing your ranch for cold weather now you can minimize the
amount of time you have to spend out in the cold!
Identify windbreaks for your herd or
groups of cattle. Make sure sufficient wind protection is available at each
location. Fix or add windbreaks and shelters, as necessary, keeping in mind
that cattle often prefer wooded areas to shelters for protection.
Identify and prepare
winter grazing fields. Cattle can graze through almost a foot of snow, although
supplemental feed will also be needed. Check fences in these fields and repair
them before the ground freezes!
Test your winter
forages. Understanding
the nutrient value of forages is imperative, whether you produce your own or
purchase forage from another rancher. Work with an animal nutritionist or
Cooperative Extension educator to balance the ration for your cattle and add
supplements where needed.
Keep a supply of extra
forage in
case bad weather strikes and feeding requirements increase.
Create a water plan. Water is an
essential nutrient for cattle.
What water sources are
available in cold months, and are there secondary water sources
available?
How will freezing temperatures
affect access to water by cattle?
Each animal will need between
seven and twelve gallons per day. Cattle prefer to drink warmer water and
will consume less if it is cold. Consider stock tank heaters or hauling
warmer water out to cattle to keep their intake up.
Prepare a winter calving
location, if
necessary. Winter calving is normal in some geographic areas, and temperatures
can be problematic for young calves. Prepare areas for cattle now by adding
feeders, checking shelters, and fixing fences. Ensure you are checking on
cattle regularly, and have shelter prepared for pairs to keep warm once calves
are born.
Prepare a spot in the
barn or a pen dedicated
to treatment for cattle that may need medical or nutritional assistance.
Complete fall
maintenance on all your equipment, including chutes, gates,
and tractors. Make any necessary repairs now. If you use your chute in the
winter, always work the chute, specifically the squeeze, tailgate, and head
catch, a few times to warm it up before sending cattle in to ensure it is
working properly before allowing animals to enter the chute.
Add lighting. Make it easier for
you and your employees to get your work done with fewer daylight hours by
adding lighting to key areas or investing in additional flashlights and
headlamps. Replace the batteries on any existing flashlights and headlamps.
Colder weather is
coming, but it doesn't need to be a frightful experience on your ranch.
Preparation now will minimize added work and stress in the coming months for
handlers and cattle.
