One of the first things you should consider when feeding cows during the winter is their body condition. The ideal body condition is a healthy one, with adequate fat for insulation and reserve energy. A thin animal will require more feed than a fat one. For these reasons, the best feed for cows in the winter should be higher in fat than in protein.
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Round-balled grass hay
Hay’s nutritional value varies depending on the plant species, its growing conditions, and its harvesting methods. For example, fresh hay from grass in its prime will contain about 2.5 percent dry matter, while older or lower-quality hay will contain more moisture. The amount of hay a cow needs daily will therefore depend on her body weight.
It is important to weigh individual bales of hay. Depending on the grass variety and size, hay may vary significantly in weight. Weighing individual bales of hay can help determine your current inventory needs and help you plan ahead. Once you have calculated the weight of each bale, subtract it from the weight of the bales’ moisture content. In an outdoor barn, moisture content is usually about 20 percent. If your hay bale weighs 1,200 pounds, you should have 960 pounds of dry matter left.
Whole corn
Whole corn is an excellent choice for cows in the winter months. It is cheaper and provides more energy than hay. For mature cows, a bushel of corn will supply about half the weight of two bushels of hay. It will also be less likely to cause metabolic disorders and acidosis in the cattle. You can feed your cow as much as 1% of her body weight daily during the cold months. This is especially important when she enters lactation.
In most regions of the country, corn is available in abundance and is a highly economical source of supplemental energy. However, the rumen is designed to digest fiber, and feeding too much corn can upset the microbes in the cow’s rumen.
Fermented grasses
In cold weather, cows need a higher proportion of roughage. Grass in the rumen ferments and provides energy and heat. This process is most effective in fermenting grasses that are acidic. Fermented grasses also contain the proper amount of protein and fibre to benefit the rumen.
Forage-efficient cows are not likely to lose much weight during winter grazing. In fact, they can actually gain weight once they wean their calves. This allows them to go into winter with fat reserves. A winter feeding program for cattle depends on a number of factors, including the climate, forage availability, and the operational design of the farm. However, there are some general rules for feeding cattle in winter.
Distiller’s grains
Dried distillers grains are a great choice for winter feeding cows. You can add up to 50% of this product to a creep grain mix for a nutritious, affordable winter diet. They provide phosphorus and sulfur for beef cows. In addition, they are very digestible and are not high in energy, making them an ideal winter feed.
Distiller’s grains contain sulfur in varying amounts, so it’s important to check the sulfur content before feeding your cows. Cows can be sensitive to sulfur, and a large amount of sulfur can make a cow ill.
Grass
There are several benefits to feeding cows grass in winter, but the right type of forage depends on the cows’ nutrient requirements. In late winter, grass is the most nutritious feed for cows, and grass hay is the best choice for this time of year.
If you have pasture land with some standing forage, this can be a good alternative. This way, you can continue rotating pastures even through deep snow. However, you must be sure to prepare your cattle for winter grazing.
Hay
The best feed for cows in winter is hay. They require a constant supply of food in their rumen to keep them warm throughout the night. It is important to buy extra straw and use it as bedding or as feeders. If you’re buying straw, consider using oat straw rather than wheat straw. It’s also important to make sure that the hay is spread on bare ground or grass. If the hay is soggy or stepped on, your livestock will not eat it.
In winter, cows will need at least 24 pounds of forage per day. This amount will be higher for a lactating Limousin heifer than for a 900-pound Highland heifer. This is because lactating cows require more energy than non-lactating cows. In addition, lactating cows will require up to 50% more hay than non-lactating cows. A 500-pound calf will need ten pounds of hay per day. A lactating 1,200-pound cow will need as much as 50 pounds a day.
