Feeding cattle in the winter is critical to cattle management, especially in regions where forage quality declines significantly during colder months. Proper nutrition during this period ensures cattle health, productivity and reproductive performance. However, low-quality forage alone often cannot meet the nutritional demands of cattle during winter. In these circumstances, protein supplementation is essential to support digestion, energy utilization and overall herd performance.
Cattle Nutrition Experts
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Not only do we make and market nutritional supplements for livestock, but we also raise, breed and feed our own herds. That is why sharing this information with fellow cattle producers is so important. It’s part of our care that comes full circle.
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Challenges of Feeding Cattle in Winter
Winter months mean challenges—everything from lower forage availability to reduced quality. Native pastures, crop residues and conserved forages such as hay are common feed sources during this time. However, their nutritional value often fades due to maturity at harvest, prolonged storage or exposure to adverse weather conditions.
Low-quality forage typically contains higher fiber content and lower concentrations of digestible nutrients such as protein and energy. This reduction impacts rumen function and limits the ability of cattle to extract nutrients. Forage with a crude protein content below 7% may not provide sufficient nitrogen for the rumen microbes to thrive. As a result, forage intake and digestion rates decrease, further compounding the nutrient deficit.
Nutritional Requirements of Cattle in Winter
Cattle have specific nutritional needs that vary depending on factors such as body weight, production stage – growth, maintenance, lactation or gestation – and environmental conditions. Cold weather increases energy requirements as cattle expend more energy to maintain body temperature. Pregnant and lactating cows have even greater demands for protein and energy to support fetal development or milk production.
Chris Cassady, Ph.D. BioZyme Director of Beef Technical Sales, reminds us that 75% of the U.S. beef herd is a spring calving herd. These cows are in their final trimester of gestation when 2/3 of fetal growth occurs.
“That really drives up the nutrient requirements, and the cow is going to put everything she has to this last little bit of time in the oven. Prepare the calf for a good start with cow nutrition, passing it to the fetus in utero,” he said.
When forage quality is poor, it becomes difficult for cattle to meet these increased nutritional demands. Consequently, cattle may lose body condition, leading to weakened immune systems, lower conception rates and decreased overall performance. In which case, supplementation helps fill the nutritional gaps and prevent these issues.
“Cows losing weight prior to calving are always prone to loss in calf vigor, calf health problems and poor colostrum quality. A bad start to the calf will hurt them long term,” Cassady emphasized.
The Role of Protein in Cattle Diets
Protein is vital to cattle nutrition, particularly during winter when forage quality is suboptimal. Protein is crucial in feeding cattle for several reasons:
- Rumen Microbial Activity
The rumen, a large fermentation chamber in cattle, relies on microbes to break down fibrous plant material. These microbes require nitrogen, primarily derived from dietary protein, to multiply and function effectively. Insufficient protein in the diet limits microbial growth, reducing forage digestion and subsequent nutrient absorption.
- Digestive Efficiency
Adequate protein levels enhance the digestibility of low-quality forages. When you supplement protein, cattle can extract more energy from the fibrous material they consume. This improved efficiency translates into better feed utilization and reduced feed waste.
- Growth & Maintenance
Protein provides essential amino acids necessary for tissue maintenance, muscle development and immune function. For growing cattle, protein is indispensable for achieving weight gain and meeting genetic potential. It helps mature cows maintain body condition during periods of high metabolic demand.
- Reproductive Health
Protein deficiency can negatively affect reproductive performance. Cows with inadequate protein intake may experience delayed estrus, poor conception rates, and reduced calf viability. Protein supplementation during winter ensures that cows are in optimal condition for breeding and calving.
Strategies for Protein Supplementation
Supplementation strategies depend on the forage quality, cattle requirements and economic considerations. There are several protein sources you can use to supplement winter cattle diets:
- Commercial Protein Supplements
Commercial supplements, available as blocks, tubs, or loose feed, are convenient and easy to use. These products contain varying protein levels (20–40%) and may include additional nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, and energy.
- Oilseed Meals
Oilseed by-products from soybean meal, cottonseed meal and canola meal are excellent protein sources. These meals are rich in digestible protein and complement low-quality forage effectively.
- Distillers Grains
Wet or dried distiller grains, a by-product of ethanol production, are another high-protein option. They also provide additional energy, making them a dual-purpose supplement for winter feeding.
- Urea & Non-Protein Nitrogen (NPN)
In some cases, you can use urea or other NPN sources to supplement protein. While cost-effective, these options require careful management to avoid toxicity and are most effective when paired with adequate energy in the diet.
- Legume Hays
Alfalfa and clover hay are naturally higher in protein than grass hay. Feeding cattle small amounts of legume hay alongside low-quality forage can boost dietary protein levels.
Practical Considerations for Protein Supplementation
To optimize the benefits of protein supplementation, producers should consider the following:
- Assess Forage Quality
Conduct forage testing to determine crude protein and energy content. This information helps in selecting the appropriate type and amount of supplement. BioZyme offers its customers free hay testing. Our nutritionists will work with you to help you find a VitaFerm protein supplement to best complement your forage.
- Match Supplementation to Cattle Needs
Different classes of cattle, such as dry cows, lactating cows or weaned calves, have different protein requirements. Tailoring supplementation to meet these needs ensures efficient nutrient use and cost-effectiveness when feeding cattle.
- Monitor Body Condition
Regular assessment of cattle body condition scores (BCS) helps track the effectiveness of the feeding program. Maintaining a BCS of 5–6 for mature cows during winter supports reproductive performance and overall health.
- Ensure Adequate Energy
Protein supplementation alone cannot compensate for energy deficiencies while feeding cattle. To maximize the benefits of protein supplementation, provide adequate energy with high-quality hay, silage or grain-based feeds.
- Provide Free-Choice Mineral and Water
Balanced mineral supplementation and access to clean water are essential to support digestion and overall health. VitaFerm protein products include vitamins, minerals, protein and AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a research-proven prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility. Amaferm stretches your feed and forage sources further since it increases digestibility, and your cattle will gain more efficiently.
Benefits of Feeding Cattle Protein in Winter
Implementing a protein supplementation program offers several benefits:
- Improved Forage Utilization
Supplementing protein enhances the digestibility and intake of low-quality forage, allowing cattle to meet their nutritional needs more effectively. Combining protein with the added Amaferm will increase your forage utilization significantly.
- Maintenance of Body Condition
Adequate protein levels help cattle maintain body weight and condition during the winter, reducing the risk of health and productivity issues. For the best outcome, ensure that cows enter the winter between 5.5 or 6 BCS.
- Enhanced Reproductive Performance
Proper nutrition supports reproductive efficiency, leading to higher conception rates and healthier calves. Develop a cattle diet plan that works for the time of year and current reproductive phase.
- Reduced Feed Costs
While supplementation involves additional costs, the improved efficiency of forage utilization can reduce overall feed expenses in the long term.
- Increased Longevity & Productivity
Cattle that receive proper nutrition during winter are more likely to remain productive and healthy throughout their lifespans.
VitaFerm Can Help
VitaFerm offers a protein supplement ideal for feeding cattle when forage quality is low. Amaferm is the key additive in all VitaFerm products. It has more than 150 published and/or presented research studies proving its increase in digestibility and, ultimately, its impact on the animal. Not only will you be supplementing your cows’ vitamin and mineral needs, but you will be providing them with Amaferm.
The key point of Amaferm is using it as a tool to get more energy metabolized by the cow. More forage digestibility leads to less physical fill, so she can eat more. More VFA production provides the extra energy needed for thermoregulation, which will also help keep her warm in the cold winter months.
“Amaferm can help unlock the nutritional value of all types of forages. Amaferm goes beyond stimulating the growth of beneficial rumen bacteria and can also promote rumen fungal growth and enzymatic activity. This increases fiber digestibility and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production by 17% and 16%, respectively. As such, more energy becomes available to your cows, leading to more performance,” Cassady said.
Amaferm also helps your feedstuffs and forages go further, helping decrease the overall cost.
“Research proves that cattle fed Amaferm synthesize 143 more grams of microbial protein each day. That’s enough protein equivalent to a pound of supplemented soybean meal available for the cow or heifer,” Cassady said. “Additional protein from Amaferm in a year-round supplemental program helps producers reduce the need for additional protein up to 40% annually, a huge continuous savings on feed costs.”
Providing protein for your herd at critical times is an important part of feeding cattle in the winter. At BioZyme, we give you options within the VitaFerm brand. Not sure what to feed cows when it comes to VitaFerm? Check out our Concept•Aid Product Navigator.
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