Is Your Winter Cattle Feed Cost Too High? 9 Feeding Mistakes Ontario Producers Make

Winter feeding can become one of the biggest expenses on a cow-calf operation.

You have the hay. You have the cattle. You have a feeding plan.

But when the feed bill keeps climbing, the problem may not simply be the price of hay or grain.

It may be how the feed is being produced, stored, selected, delivered and consumed.

Canadian cow-calf benchmark data reported that approximate feed costs averaged $690 per cow in 2024, while the top third of benchmark farms averaged $559 per cow. The difference was not simply about choosing one particular type of feed. The research found that management and feed utilization played an important role in controlling costs.

For Ontario cattle producers, that makes winter feed management especially important.

Here are nine mistakes worth checking before your next winter-feeding season.

Feeding Hay Without Knowing Its Quality

One of the easiest mistakes is assuming that all hay provides the same nutrition.

It doesn't.

Hay quality can change depending on:

• plant maturity

• weather during harvest

• storage conditions

• forage species

• harvesting method

• moisture level

  
  

A bale may look good but still have a nutritional profile that requires supplementation.

Ontario guidance recommends testing feeds and home-grown forages for nutrients such as protein, energy and minerals before developing a supplementation strategy.

Should you test hay before winter?

Yes. Feed testing gives you useful information about the nutrients your cattle are actually receiving and helps you avoid unnecessarily overfeeding—or underfeeding—supplements.

Assuming the Cheapest Feed Is the Cheapest Ration

A low price per bale does not automatically mean a low feeding cost.

You also need to consider:

feed quality + amount required + supplementation + storage loss + feeding waste.

For example, lower-quality forage may cost less initially but require additional energy or protein supplementation.

Ontario's beef-feeding guidance specifically discusses comparing alternative feeds based on their nutritional value and overall ration economics rather than simply looking at the purchase price.

“What does this feed cost me per animal after I account for the nutrients it provides?”

Letting Cattle Waste Too Much Hay

You paid for the hay whether the cow eats it or it ends up on the ground.

That makes feed waste one of the easiest places to look for potential savings.

Ontario research on round-bale feeding found that feed wastage can vary substantially depending on the feeding system. In one example, improving from a moderately efficient system with 15% waste to a system with 5% waste could save hundreds of pounds of hay per animal over a feeding season.

Common causes of waste include:

• poorly designed feeders

• feeding too much at once

• hay exposed to rain and snow

• cattle trampling feed

• feeding directly on muddy ground

• damaged or spoiled bales

Quick answer

How can you reduce cattle hay waste?

Use an appropriate feeder, protect stored hay from weather, control how much forage is available at one time and monitor how much is actually being consumed.

Feeding the Same Quality of Forage to Every Cow

Not every animal in your herd has the same nutritional requirement.

A mature dry cow and a lactating cow should not automatically receive exactly the same feeding priority.

The same applies to:

• first-calf heifers

• late-pregnancy cows

• thin cows

• replacement heifers

• bulls

Higher-quality forage can be more valuable for animals with greater nutritional requirements.

The Canadian Cattlemen/Canfax research recommends matching forage quality to cow nutritional requirements—for example, using lower-quality feed for dry cows while reserving better-quality forage for lactating cows and heifers.

So before winter begins, look at your herd and ask:

Which animals need the best feed—and which animals can efficiently use lower-quality forage?

Ignoring Body Condition Before Winter

Your winter-feeding program does not start when the snow arrives.

It starts before winter.

A cow entering winter in poor body condition may require more nutritional support than a cow entering the season in appropriate condition.

Ontario guidance also notes that body condition and environmental stress can have a major impact on feed requirements. Wind, wet conditions and cold stress can increase the energy demand placed on cattle.

Before winter, check:

• body condition

• pregnancy stage

• age

• expected calving date

• forage availability

• feed quality

  
  

It is much easier to plan for nutritional differences before the herd is already under winter stress.

Forgetting About Wind, Mud and Cold Stress

Ontario winter weather is not just about the thermometer.

Wind and wet conditions can make cattle work harder to maintain body temperature.

Ontario research shows that cold and wet conditions can substantially increase the energy requirements of cattle.

That means your winter feeding strategy should consider the environment as well as the ration.

Look for opportunities to provide:

• wind protection

• dry resting areas

• appropriate bedding

• clean feeding areas

• reliable water

• adequate nutrition

  
  

Reducing environmental stress can be part of reducing unnecessary nutritional demand.

What Can Ontario Producers Do When Hay Is Expensive?

When hay prices are high or supplies are limited, producers may consider alternative feeds.

Ontario agricultural guidance discusses the use of alternative feeds and commodities in beef-cow rations, but emphasizes that rations must be balanced for fibre, energy, protein, minerals and vitamins.

Possible options can include:

• corn

• silage

• crop residues

• alternative forages

• grain-based feeds

• protein supplements

• commercially formulated feeds

  
  

However, the right option depends on the actual nutrient content and current local prices.

Do not replace one feed with another based only on price per tonne.

What Cattle Feed Is Available at Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies?

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies serves livestock owners and farmers in Blenheim, Chatham-Kent and Southwestern Ontario.

The store carries animal-feed products from established brands including Jones Feed Mills and Masterfeeds, alongside other farm and livestock supplies.

For cattle producers, the best product choice depends on:

• cattle type

• age

• production stage

• forage quality

• nutritional requirements

• feeding system

  
  

If you're unsure which feed is appropriate for your cattle, contact Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies before purchasing.

Call/Text: 226-774-0933

Call/Text: 519-350-5804

FAQs

What is the best winter feed for cattle in Ontario?

There is no single best feed for every herd. Good-quality forage is often the foundation of a winter ration, with supplements or additional feeds used when forage does not meet the nutritional requirements of the cattle.

How can I reduce winter cattle feed costs?

Start by testing forage, reducing feeding and storage waste, matching feed quality to animal requirements and calculating total ration cost rather than comparing feed prices alone.

How much does it cost to feed a cow in winter?

Canadian 2024 benchmark data reported an average approximate feed cost of $690 per cow, compared with $559 per cow for the top third of benchmark farms. Actual Ontario costs vary according to feed, production system, weather, storage and management.

How can I reduce hay waste?

Use an efficient feeding system, protect stored bales from weather and avoid putting more feed in front of cattle than they can reasonably consume.

Should I test my hay?

Yes. Feed testing helps identify the actual nutrient content of forage and can help you develop a more targeted supplementation strategy.

Does cold weather increase cattle feed requirements?

Cold, wind and wet conditions can increase maintenance energy requirements. Providing shelter and maintaining appropriate body condition can help cattle cope with winter conditions.

Can I replace some hay with alternative feeds?

Potentially, but the replacement ration needs to meet the cattle's requirements for fibre, energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. Alternative feeds should be evaluated based on nutritional value and total ration economics.

Where can I buy cattle feed in Chatham-Kent?

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies in Blenheim, Ontario, serves local farmers and livestock owners with feed and farm-supply options. Contact the store for current product availability.