Prepare cattle for winter to maintain
a healthy herd
W
Forage testing is the only way to know
if any supplement is needed, and if so,
what type and how much supplement
should be fed. In the Low Cost CowTo prepare for winter, farmers need
Calf Project, farmers reported a $10
to implement two fall management
return on each $1 invested in forage
practices: body condition scoring (BCS)
testing. This was accomplished by
of cows and forage testing of hay. By
reducing the amount of supplement
implementing these practices, farmers
fed to cows.
can get their
Several local
cattle through
conservation
the winter
districts costwith the least
share on forage
possible cost
testing. Check
and keep the
with your
cows in the
conservation
best health
district to see
for calving
if they have
next spring.
this program.
Body condition scoring of cows allows farmers
To get the
Sample and
to get them in good condition for calving.
cows in good
run a forage
condition for the upcoming calving,
test on each field of hay. Then, compare
farmers need to BCS cows in the fall.
the forage test values for total digestible
The WVU Extension Service “Body
nutrients (TDN) and crude protein
Condition Score Description of Cattle”
(CP) to that required by the cattle across
fact sheet provides a detailed written and
age classes and production status. The
visual description of BCS. It is available
WVU Extension Service “Nutrient
from your WVU Extension agent or at
Requirements for Beef Cattle” fact sheet
http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/47551.
provides the requirements of different
production classes of cattle. It is available
Cows calving in a BCS 6 rebreed better
from your county WVU Extension
than those calving at a lower score. The
agent or at http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/
most economical way to get thin cows to
download/175226.
a BCS 6 is to wean the calves, then fatten
Match the hay quality to the cattle’s
the cows on well-grown fall pastures.
nutrient requirements based on the
With this summer’s wet weather a lot
forage test. If the weather is extremely
of hay was cut late, resulting in low
poor (as some weather forecasters
nutritional quality. Some of the late firstare predicting this winter), energy
cut hay was actually first- and second-cut
requirements will increase and cows
taken at the same time. The only way
will draw ۈ Z\