Winter cattle feeding strategies maintain herd health

Winter cattle feeding strategies are crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock during the colder months when pasture growth slows or stops entirely. Common perennial forages in our region, like Bahia grass and Bermuda grass varieties, go dormant from November through April. During this time, it’s important to have feeding systems established. Maintaining cattle nutrition and body condition scores is crucial due to fall calving and winter breeding. By utilizing methods such as planting cool-season forages, feeding hay and stockpiling high-quality perennials, farmers can ensure their cattle receive adequate nutrition. Planting of cool-season forages has become very po