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Hay, Forage & Livestock EquipmentFeeding in Winter with Equipment
Winter feeding is daily work in the worst conditions. The right equipment and a few cold-weather habits keep animals fed and keep you out of trouble on ice and snow.
Key points
- Prepare equipment, fuel and batteries before the cold hits.
- Use feeders and clean ground to cut hay waste.
- Follow manual limits for chains and weights.
- Keep ROPS and seat belts in use, and mind slick footing.
- Plan for water and for a storm or power outage.
What equipment do you need for winter feeding?
Most operations need a way to move bales, such as a tractor with a loader and spear, a bale bed, or an unroller. Feeders such as rings, cradles or bunks cut waste and keep hay off wet ground. Water access is part of the plan too, since animals eat less when they cannot drink.
A 30-acre hay field producer with a small herd might do all of this with one tractor. A larger cattle ranch may have a feeding truck or a mixer wagon.
Walk the whole feeding route in daylight in fall and fix what you can. Level gateways, add gravel at the muddy spots and clear anything the loader might catch. The route you drive in a January storm will be the one you prepared.
How do you keep equipment starting in the cold?
Diesel engines use compression ignition and many have glow plugs to help in cold starts. Follow your operator's manual for cold starting and the fuel and fluid types the manufacturer specifies for winter. Batteries lose strength in the cold, so keep them charged and clean.
If you use a block heater, plug it in ahead of time as the manual advises and use a properly rated extension cord. Check your manual before using any starting aid, since some are not safe for certain engines.
- Battery charged and terminals clean.
- Winter-grade fuel and fluids as specified.
- Block heater plugged in ahead of time.
- Hydraulic fluid warmed up before heavy work.
How do you get traction on ice and snow?
Tires, chains, weights and care make the difference. Ask your dealer what traction aids are approved for your tractor, since added weight and chains must not exceed limits in the manual. Drive slowly and avoid sharp turns on slick ground.
Plan routes to avoid steep slopes and water crossings. Mark soft spots and drop-offs under snow with flags.
Keep a shovel, tow strap and a pair of traction aids on the machine. If you do get stuck, a calm, planned recovery beats a rushed one. Never tow from a point the manual does not approve.
How do you reduce hay waste?
Feeding bales on the ground can waste a lot of hay in mud and snow. Feeders, bale rings and unrolling on a clean, well-drained spot help. Rotate feeding locations so you do not turn one spot into a mud pit.
Match feeder type to the animals. Horses and cattle behave differently, and a feeder that works for one can injure the other.
A bale that sits under snow and ice can freeze to the ground and be hard to lift. Feed what the animals will clean up, and avoid leaving large stacks exposed.
What safety risks come with winter feeding?
Cold stiffens hydraulic hoses, hardens tires and makes plastic and rubber brittle. Slips and falls are common. Wear traction on your boots, keep three points of contact when you climb on equipment, and use the ROPS with the seat belt fastened.
Bales can shift and roll on slopes and icy ground. Keep people out of the path of a lifted or rolling bale. If you work alone, tell someone your plan and carry a phone.
How do you keep water from freezing?
Heated tanks, tank heaters and insulated waterers are common. Electrical equipment in a wet barnyard needs proper wiring and grounding, so ask a licensed electrician to check it. Never use damaged cords or improvised heaters, which are a fire hazard.
Check cords and connections each week, since cold makes insulation brittle. Replace any cord with exposed wire.
How do you plan for a bad storm?
Stock extra hay before the worst weather, fuel your equipment, and check that you can reach the feeding area. Plan for a power outage and a back-up way to feed and water. Ask your extension office about winter feeding and livestock cold stress for your region.
Sources and further reading
- University of Minnesota Extension
- Montana State University Extension
- NIOSH Agricultural Safety
- Cornell Cooperative Extension
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.