Management of cattle feed in the winter

Minot, North Dakota – By North Dakota norms, this winter has been mild, except the October snow.

Because the season has been warmer than usual, ranchers don’t need to feed cattle as frequently as they would in colder weather, according to NDSU Extension Agent Paige Brummund.

She claimed that in addition to needing more hay, cattle also require better-quality feed, particularly during calving.

“We do recommend that producers test their hay, send it to the lab, and use those test results to formulate the best ration for their livestock,” said Brummund.

According to her, NDSU leases out hay probes for just a deposit, which is refunded upon the hay probe’s return.