Proper feeding during cold weather is an important management consideration, particularly here in Minnesota. Given the area's ability for severe weather during the winter, it is essential to know how to feed your animals during this period.

Animals exposed to cold weather require more energy to maintain their body reserves and to maintain their body temperatures. As a rule of thumb, total digestible nutrient requirements increase about 1% for each degree that the wind chill is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. You should adjust your ration in the colder winter months to accommodate this need for more energy. Having plenty of fresh, high quality feed available is critical during these cold winter months.

There are also other management practices that you can do to provide your animals with the extra help they need to get through the cold winter. First, if your animals are outside, provide wind breaks and shelters to reduce wind exposure, moisture, and muddy conditions. Secondly, during severe winter weather, provide extra bedding as an insulation layer for your animals so they won't have direct contact with the frozen ground. Lastly, animals will naturally seek shelter from severe weather if it is available to them.

By having plenty of fresh, high quality feed available to meet the animals' needs, and providing adequate livestock shelter, your animals will be able to survive the long cold winter much like you do inside your home.

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