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Cold weather presents horses with some specific nutritional and management demands. As winter approaches it is a good idea to evaluate your horses housing and feeding programs to insure that they get through the cold weather in good shape. All warm-blooded animals have a critical temperature. This is the temperature below which the animal must produce additional heat to maintain normal body temperature. Mature horses in good flesh have a critical temperature around 30° F during early winter. After developing a winter coat and gaining 100 pounds, the critical temperature drops to 15° F. It is estimated that young horses,...

Proper storage of hay between harvest and feeding is critical for preserving nutrients and assuring that you'll have high quality hay to feed your cattle during the winter months they need it most. The nutrient requirements of cattle are more likely to be met with quality hay that is well stored, according to Mark L. Wahlberg, Extension Animal Scientist, Virginia Tech. Small square bales, weighing from 40 to 70 pounds, should be stored in a barn or other structure with a roof to minimize dry matter losses. Due to the size, shape, and weight of large round bales, storage options...

Winter nutrition is very important for deer and the individuals that hunt them. Even though hunting season is typically during the colder months, during these months deer are in an energy deficit. This means there is less food for them to eat and as a result they tend to lose weight or become smaller. If you are a hunter, the last thing you want your trophy buck to be is small and weak. Deer cannot meet energy intake requirements during the winter because of digestive and anatomical limitations.White-tailed dear eat a variety of plant materials to sustain their physiological functions....

Winter is no vacation from farming – there are essential tasks that all farmers need to do throughout the winter to ensure a productive and profitable spring. While there are different concerns for livestock farming and crop farming, all farmers have plenty to keep busy with during the coldest months.Winter Livestock FarmingWhether a farmer keeps cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry or any other type of livestock, when those animals are part of their livelihood, it is essential to give them proper winter care. Critical winter tasks for livestock farmers include…Keeping Adequate Feed on HandAnimals need more food in winter to maintain...

Winter nutrition is very important for deer and the individuals that hunt them. Even though hunting season is typically during the colder months, during these months deer are in an energy deficit. This means there is less food for them to eat and as a result they tend to lose weight or become smaller. If you are a hunter, the last thing you want your trophy buck to be is small and weak.  Deer cannot meet energy intake requirements during the winter because of digestive and anatomical limitations. White-tailed dear eat a variety of plant materials to sustain their physiological...