Stockpiling Forage for Winter

Stockpiling means letting pasture grow in late summer and fall, then grazing it in winter instead of feeding hay. It can cut hay needs, but it takes planning months before the first frost.

Key points

Stockpiling saves hay by letting cattle graze standing forage in winter.
Timing and species depend on your region, so use local guidance.
Control weeds and check fertility before the growth period.
Strip grazing reduces waste.
Keep backup hay and protect wet ground.

What stockpiling is

Instead of grazing a pasture all season, you take cattle off it and let it accumulate growth. Later, usually in fall or winter, cattle graze that standing forage directly. The cattle do the harvesting, so you save on machinery, fuel and labor.

It works best with plants that hold feeding value after growth stops. Which species work depends on your region, so ask your extension office what stands up to winter where you farm.

Think of it as growing your own winter feed in place. The investment is not equipment but timing, fencing and the willingness to keep cattle off a pasture while it still looks green and tempting.

Choosing paddocks and timing

Choose well-drained, productive pastures with a good stand of grass that tolerates stockpiling. Remove cattle or clip the pasture at the time local guidance recommends so new growth starts fresh. Cut too early and growth may be lost to frost or cold; too late and you will not build enough forage.

Timing depends heavily on region and species. Use local extension recommendations instead of dates from a different climate.

Note which paddocks stockpiled well and which did not. Over a few years you will learn which fields give the most winter feed with the least trouble, and which ones are better kept for hay or spring grazing.

Pick a productive, well-drained pasture
Take cattle off at the locally recommended time
Keep a record of the date and the rainfall that followed
Plan fencing so cattle can be given a little at a time

Fertility and weeds

Grass growing for months needs nutrients. A soil test shows whether fertilizer would help, and extension specialists can tell you what is appropriate for your plants and weather. Always follow label directions and local rules, particularly near water.

Control weeds before stockpiling begins. Cattle will eat around poor plants, and weeds left to grow can shade the grass you want to save.

Grazing it efficiently

Stockpiled forage is wasted if cattle trample and foul it. Use temporary fence to give cattle a strip or small paddock at a time, and back-fence so they do not return to the grazed area. Move on a schedule that keeps cattle fed without running forage down too fast.

Water has to reach the strip. Plan for freeze protection if winter gets cold enough to ice tanks, and follow manufacturer and electrical safety guidance on heaters.

Give cattle time to learn the routine of moving to a fresh strip, and check fence voltage daily in winter, since snow and frozen ground can weaken a fence.

Quality, supplements and body condition

Stockpiled forage varies in protein and energy. Test it if you can, then ask a nutritionist whether cattle need supplements. Check body condition on the one to nine scale as winter progresses, and give extra attention to young cows and thin cattle. Keep some hay on hand, since snow or ice can cover standing forage and make a backup plan necessary.

Cold and wet weather increases energy needs, so cattle on stockpile may need more feed than the forage alone provides, especially late-gestation cows and young females. Watch condition and act early rather than waiting for a decline.

Protecting soil and pasture

Winter grazing on wet or thawing ground can cause pugging and compaction that damage the stand for years. Have a sacrifice area or a feeding site you can use when ground is soft. Avoid feeding on waterways, and keep animals out of streams. Your NRCS office can help you plan feeding and heavy-use areas.

Mistakes to avoid

Common mistakes include stockpiling a weak or weedy pasture, skipping fertility, giving cattle the entire paddock at once and having no backup hay for storms. Another is counting on stockpile without a test or a drought plan.

Ask your extension office what grasses stockpile well in your area and what timing they recommend. Talk to your lender about costs; this is education, not financial advice.

Starting with a thin stand
Letting cattle graze it all at once
No backup hay
Grazing on soft, wet ground

When to get help: Ask your county extension agent which forages stockpile well locally and when to start. Have a nutritionist check whether cattle need supplement, and call your veterinarian if cattle lose condition or get sick.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

More in Nutrition, Forage & Grazing

← Carrying Capacity Calculations Grazing Cover Crops →