Winter Feed Strategies for Cattle

As winter sets in and pasture growth slows to a crawl, many farmers turn to supplementary feeding to keep their cattle in good condition. Having an efficient winter feed strategy is crucial—not just for animal health, but also for saving time, reducing feed waste, and keeping costs under control.

Here at Kiwi Cattle Yards, we’ve seen firsthand how the right equipment can transform your winter feeding routine. Whether you're feeding out small square bales or the biggest rounds, our bale feeder range is designed to make feeding faster, cleaner, and more efficient.

1. Plan Your Winter Feed Budget

Before winter hits, it’s worth doing a feed budget. Assess how many animals you’ll be feeding, for how long, and what type of feed you have available—whether that’s hay, silage, or baleage. Overestimating slightly can help cover wet spells or late springs.

2. Reduce Feed Waste with the Right Feeder

One of the biggest winter costs is wasted feed. When hay or baleage is fed directly on the ground, cattle trample and soil a significant portion of it. That’s feed (and money) literally going to waste.

Our bale Feeders are designed to minimise wastage by keeping feed off the ground and contained, allowing cattle to access it cleanly. 

3. Make Feeding Quicker and Easier

Time is precious in winter. Wet, cold mornings are no time to be wrestling with soggy bales or dragging feed through muddy paddocks. Our feeders are engineered for practicality—easy to load, easy to move, and built tough to handle repeated use.

Using bale feeders also cuts down on the need to break up bales or manually spread feed, making the entire process quicker. That means more time for other jobs (or a hot cuppa!).

4. Maintain Good Paddock Conditions

Feeding in one spot can lead to pugged, muddy ground and nutrient hotspots. Rotating feeders or using mobile options like our skid-mounted models help protect your pasture and reduce cleanup come spring.

5. Monitor Condition and Adjust

Even with the best planning, winter conditions can vary. Regularly monitor your cattle’s body condition and adjust feed levels as needed. Using feeders allows you to track how much is actually being consumed, giving you better control.

Invest in Smarter Feeding This Winter

If you're looking to improve your winter feeding strategy, our bale feeder range offers a reliable, waste-reducing solution that’ll save you time and keep your cattle in top shape. Built tough in-house and proven in the paddock, they’re a smart investment for any farming operation.

Happy feeding

Euan.