Shorter days, hard freezes and mud will put the care of your livestock to the test. As seasoned farmers know, your cattle’s nutritional needs don’t drop with the thermometer; they rise. A practical rule of thumb: for each degree the temperature dips below comfort range, maintenance requirements increase. In mid-cold conditions you might see a 2–8% bump in intake, and as much as 25% during extreme subzero spells. Horses, goats, and sheep follow the same logic—when it’s colder, they burn more energy to stay warm, so the ration and water plan need to keep pace. 

This guide focuses on three things that move the needle in winter livestock care: water they will actually drink, hay that truly feeds, and minerals that match species and season—with a few species-specific notes to keep cattle, horses, goats, and sheep in good condition through winter. 

Keep Water Warm, Keep Intake Up 

Hydration drives intake, digestion, and body heat. When tanks ice over, animals drink less, which can spiral into reduced feed intake, slower digestion, weight loss, and weaker immune response. Keeping water near a comfortable temperature encourages steady drinking. Cattle may naturally reduce visits to water in harsh winter weather, so keeping water reliably thawed and easy to reach helps offset that behavioral dip. 

In winter trials, beef cattle offered lukewarm water (~88 °F) drank about 30% more than cows offered near freezing water (~46 °F)—a big difference for maintaining intake in the cold. 1 *

Useful picks:

Farm Innovators Ice Chaser Premium Submergible Stock Tank De-Icer – 1500W 

Hay Quality: Test It, Then Balance 

Not all hay is created equal. Quality varies between fields and cuttings, and the differences matter more in winter when animals have fewer chances to graze selectively. A simple forage analysis tells you protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN) so you know what to supplement and when—no guessing, just better feeding. 

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Protein, Energy & Pace of Intake 

In winter, the rumen is a furnace—effective fiber that fuels internal heat. But when forage alone isn’t enough (late gestation, heavy lactation, or a deep freeze), add energy and protein strategically. Protein tubs are a convenient, low labor way to lift protein (and sometimes energy) without juggling multiple feeds. For horses and smaller ruminants, slow feed nets or feeder panels pace intake, reduce waste, and keep hay cleaner than in muddy pens. 

Barn tested tips: 

Minerals That Matter (and Why Winter Is Different) 

Mineral needs shift in winter as forage quality changes, energy demands climb, and time on pasture decreases. A solid livestock mineral program supports immune function, reproduction, hoof integrity, and overall performance. In winter, producers often look for selenium and vitamin E support to bolster immunity—always match the product to your species and local conditions. 

Placement: Put mineral where animals naturally pass—near feed and water—so they encounter it throughout the day and keep it dry. 

Minerals at your fingertips: