Winter grazing can help livestock producers save on feed costs — if weather permits. According to University of Nebraska Extension Educator Ben Beckman, even a relatively small amount of snow or ice can make grazing more difficult. He estimates six inches of snow or 1/4 inch of ice can significantly hinder grazing. Still, conditions vary depending on the animals, where and what they graze, temperatures, and precipitation type. However, the bottom line is that the more effort animals have to put in, the less efficient that food source will be.

Dry, fluffy snow is more manageable for livestock to sift through to get feedstuffs, especially compared to heavy, wet snow. Ice can be challenging, but it’s often more difficult to manage on dense crops near the ground, like corn residue. Beckman encourages producers to be proactive in making sure cattle maintain body condition during winter grazing. They should watch the weather and plan for the possibility of supplementing the herd’s food.

Read more on winter grazing here.