With most areas receiving rain through September, grass growth returned, but grazing has remained variable. Heavy dews and passing showers have caused inconsistent dry matter intakes, and many farms are still supplementing with hard feed after the dry summer. The change from a variable, grazing-based diet outdoors to a more controlled indoor system has some important factors to consider: nutrition, animal health, housing conditions and daily management.

Plan for the housing transition rather than simply changing the diet

Grazed grass can provide a highly digestible source of energy and protein, particularly in autumn when swards are still actively growing. Moving suddenly onto conserved forages and concentrates can be a significant nutritional change, but it gives us the opportunity to provide beef cattle and youngstock with some prolonged consistency through their winter diets. Where possible, avoid an abrupt switch. Introduce any concentrate gradually and allow cattle time to adapt to the new forage and feeding system.

For finishing cattle, this is particularly important where higher levels of cereal or compound feed will be introduced. Rumen adaptation takes time, and a controlled transition can help reduce the risk of acidosis and inconsistent intakes. A rumen buffer can help, but increasing cereals slowly is critical.

Make the most of forage analysis

Once cattle are housed, forage becomes the foundation of the diet, so knowing its nutritional value is critical. Silage quality can vary considerably between cuts, fields and years. A forage analysis provides useful information on dry matter, energy, protein and fibre. This gives a good guide to the potential intakes of a forage, the performance we can expect and what needs to be fed alongside it to achieve that performance. Weighing cattle when they come in and monthly thereafter is the best way to monitor growth rates and performance.

Consider water and feed access

Housing cattle increases reliance on the water supply, particularly where dry feeds and concentrates are being fed. Check troughs before housing and ensure sufficient flow rates and access for all animals.

Feed space is one of the most important factors with housing cattle, yet it is often overlooked. Overstocked pens where animals must compete for feed will reduce average performance, and the smaller, more timid animals in a group will be the first to suffer. Please make sure all animals can feed at once; adequate feed space and consistent feeding times help cattle establish a stable feeding pattern.

Housing conditions matter

Good nutrition cannot compensate for poor housing. Before cattle come inside, check ventilation, drainage, lying areas, handling facilities and stocking density. Housing should provide a clean, dry and comfortable environment with sufficient airflow without creating draughts at animal level.

Ultimately, a successful winter housing period starts before cattle walk through the shed door. A gradual nutritional transition, good-quality forage, appropriate supplementation, reliable water and well-managed housing provide the foundations for maintaining health, performance and feed efficiency throughout the winter.