FEEDING CATTLE IN THE MONTANA WINTER
As the chill of winter envelops Montana, ranchers across the state are gearing up to face the challenges that come with the plummeting temperatures. It's a season that demands meticulous planning and a commitment to the well-being of your cattle. In this article, I, Tanner Anderson, will share some invaluable insights on how to protect your herd from the harsh Montana winter and ensure their health and productivity.
CATTLE RANCHING IN MONTANA WINTERS
Imagine stepping out of the biting cold into the comfort of a heated tractor cab. That's precisely what windbreaks offer to your cattle. Whether it's a permanent structure or a temporary solution, windbreaks are one of the most effective tools we have to shield our cattle from cold stress. These structures provide a refuge where your cattle can seek shelter from the harsh winter winds, much like finding solace in a warm tractor cab or feed pickup while doing chores.
SURVIVING HARSH MONTANA WINTERS RANCHING
Just as you would don coveralls or insulated boots to keep warm during frigid temperatures, providing bedding for your cattle is equally essential. Cornstalks, straw, or other sources of bedding act as insulation against the frozen ground. This not only helps keep your cattle's hair coats dry but also assists them in regulating their body temperature. While the precise benefits of bedding may be less quantified in cow-calf trials, feedlot trials have shown a remarkable 20-40% maintenance requirement advantage for bedded steers compared to their unbedded counterparts. Think of it as providing coveralls for your cattle to weather the winter.
FEEDING CATTLE IN THE MONTANA WINTER
Just as a hot cup of coffee warms you from the inside on a cold day, adjusting your feeding schedule can provide internal warmth for your cattle. The rumen, a fermentation machine in a cow's digestive system, generates heat during fermentation. By strategically timing your cattle's feeding late in the day, you can harness this heat production to help them combat the colder night temperatures. It's akin to eating a warm cooked meal after battling the outside conditions, but for your cattle.
While we can't control the whims of Mother Nature, we can certainly take proactive measures to help our cattle cope with the challenges posed by the cold Montana winter. By implementing an integrated approach that includes windbreaks, bedding, and feeding time adjustments, we can minimize the impact of cold temperatures on our feed bills, calf birth weights, and overall cow comfort.
Remember, as ranchers, we are stewards of our land and caretakers of our livestock. By prioritizing their well-being and taking these steps to protect them from the winter chill, we ensure a brighter and more prosperous future for our herds and our ranching endeavors.
Kate Loose of Seven Diamond Photography is a talented Montanan ranch lifestyle photographer who specializes in capturing the Montana ranching way of life.