ID 137679932 © K Pegg Dreamstime.com

By Alice McFarlane

Winter Feed Supplies

Never too early to evaluate winter feed supply

Sep 16, 2019 | 3:58 PM

Winter may seem far away and with some producers still putting up feed resources, even talking about winter feeding makes some cringe.

Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist Alicia Sopatyk said now is a good time to make a plan for the winter feeding period even if it’s only penciled in. Feed makes up the largest cost of any livestock operation.

“First [take] a good look at the feed stack. Is there the quantity of feed to see you through the winter? This can take a bit of math, accurate weights of the bales and an estimation for severity for the winter but it will give you the specifics on the quantity of resources at your disposal,” Sopatyk said. “Next consider the quality. Feed testing provides a nutritional value of your feed where as a visual analysis alone does not.”

Sopatyk said depending on the quality you can more strategically feed certain resources at different times throughout the winter to meet livestock needs rather than go above or below. This is especially important when feed resources are tight.

She said it’s really about how many animals you can keep versus how many you want to keep.

MLAs clash over foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland

Nov 10, 2025

Outstanding community members

'We all loved him': respected Prince Albert broadcaster passes away

Oct 09, 2025

Nearing the end of harvest

Meals in the field and hats in combines: a look into end of harvest traditions

Oct 09, 2025

“Should those resources be looking slim, consider some other options to generate cash flow to purchase additional feed or conserve valuable resources for the more productive animals. Preg checking and selling open or late calvers or culling hard for feet and leg or temperament problems are just a few options,” Sopatyk said.

It’s a tough decision. Sopatyk said you don’t want to get caught in the dead of winter with a dwindling feed stack or livestock losing condition so plan now to secure enough quantity and quality feed to meet your livestock needs.

“Reach out to your nutritionists or livestock feed extension specialist like myself to help you through feed testing, evaluation and ration balancing,” Sopatyk said. “Remember, it’s not about doing things the way they’ve always been done but evaluating what’s practical and economical.”

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF