Fall is always a busy time of year and this fall is no exception. With finishing harvest, weaning, and bringing home feed from the field many of us are extremely busy. Following the early winter storm many of us are now working twice as hard trying to move snow, locate cattle that may have strayed in the storm, and possibly making decisions about feed resources that are now either buried in the snow or drifted in somewhere inaccessible for a period of time. There are options for alternative feed resources including by-products, screening, and other roughage sources to help bridge the possible feed supply gaps created by the recent weather. For a list of possible alternative feeds please visit go to the following linkhttps://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/livestock/alternative-feeds-for-ruminants.

Cows at the CREC often have by-products, screening and alternative roughage sources in their diets.

Another important concept for winter management is improving pen conditions. With the wet summer and fall we had, many of us are struggling with deteriorating pen conditions. With the onset of winter, it is important for us to keep in mind the need for improving pen conditions and the environmental conditions for cattle as temperatures continue to decrease. Past research at the CREC has demonstrated that providing bedding can improve livestock gains during the winter months. Research from other universities has also demonstrated that pen conditions can lead to effects on livestock performance and economic returns. For more information about winter management of feedlot cattle visit the following link https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/livestock/winter-management-of-feedlot-cattle.

For those of you affected by the recent snow storm, our thoughts are with you as you work to care for your livestock and conclude harvest.

Bryan W. Neville, Ph. D.
Bryan.Neville@ndsu.edu
Research Animal Scientist