Outwintering livestock: Planning and preparation

Managing forage effectively during outwintering is key to ensuring livestock receive sufficient nutrition while minimising damage to pastures. Selecting the right types of forage, ensuring quality and implementing smart feeding strategies will set you up for success.

Types of forage suitable for outwintering

Outwintering systems rely on a variety of forage sources to provide livestock with enough nutrition during periods when pasture growth stops.

The most suitable forage types include: 

Deferred grazing

This refers to grass that has been left to grow and accumulate during the summer and early autumn for later use.

Grasses like perennial ryegrass or cocksfoot are commonly used, with pre-grazing covers ideally reaching 3,000–4,000 kg DM/ha before the start of winter.

This provides a ready source of forage. However, the later the grazing the date, the higher the risk that the quality could deteriorate.

Baled silage or hay

Baled forage is often used in outwintering systems, with silage and hay providing a stable source of feed.

You can set the bales out ahead of time in paddocks and ration them with electric fencing. 

Bale spacing and positioning 

The distance between bales can vary based on several factors, including the type of livestock, pasture size and shape and desired grazing management.

Space bales 10 m apart in a bale pod to allow adequate grazing access and prevent overgrazing in any single area.

However, if you are rolling them out, you need to consider spacing as you do not want them too close together as this could result in nutrient hotspots.

Whether you place bales or roll them out, the key thing is to ensure as many animals can feed around them as possible.

Choosing the right location 

The first step is finding a site that can handle the pressures of winter grazing.

Look for well-drained soils that can cope with heavy rainfall to avoid waterlogging, which can lead to poaching, soil compaction and poor pasture regrowth.

Choose areas with natural windbreaks, such as trees or hedgerows, to protect animals from cold winds.

Steeper slopes can drain well but may cause run-off during heavy rains.

Nutritional needs during cold weather 

Livestock need more energy during cold weather to maintain body temperature and sustain body condition.

This increase in feed intake is particularly important for animals exposed to rain, wind chill or freezing temperatures.

Plan for these higher energy demands to maintain livestock health and productivity throughout the winter.

Increased energy requirements

During cold weather, livestock may require a 10–20% increase in their daily feed allowance.

This demand can rise further in wet and windy weather, and it is worth bearing in mind the following:

• Wind chill: Animals exposed to wind chill lose body heat rapidly, increasing their energy needs by an estimated 2–4 MJ per day
• Rain and wet weather: Wet coats reduce insulation, causing animals to use more energy to stay warm; make sure dry forage and shelter are available

Windbreaks, natural shelter and well-placed bales can reduce exposure to the elements. Dry bedding areas can also help maintain body condition.

Stock class considerations

Selecting the right livestock and ensuring their health and welfare are critical to the success of an outwintering system.

Different livestock have varying needs and tolerances, and addressing potential health issues early can help maintain productivity and minimise welfare risks.

• Mature beef cattle, especially hardy breeds, are well-suited to outwintering due to their tolerance for cold weather and ability to maintain body condition on lower-quality forage
• Spring-calving suckler cows are generally better suited to outwintering than young calves or store cattle
• Youngstock or finishing animals may require higher-quality forage and closer monitoring to ensure growth targets are met

Ensure livestock are healthy and free from any pre-existing conditions that could be exacerbated by cold weather.

Compliance with environmental regulations 

You must be aware of, and comply with, UK environmental regulations to protect water quality and soil health. 

Farming rules for water

Familiarise yourself with the farming rules for water, which outline how to manage livestock and nutrient applications to prevent water pollution.

Key requirements include avoiding spreading manure on wet soils, maintaining buffer strips around water bodies and adhering to nutrient management plans.

Record keeping

Maintain accurate records of grazing practices, manure management and soil health measures.

This documentation is essential for demonstrating compliance with regulations and ensuring sustainable practices. 

Environmental stewardship schemes

Explore options for enrolling in environmental stewardship schemes that provide support and funding for practices that benefit the environment. These can help improve soil health, biodiversity and water quality on your farm. 

By integrating these environmental and soil considerations into your outwintering practices, you can promote sustainability, enhance soil health and ensure compliance with regulations, leading to a more resilient and productive farming system.

Nutrient inputs and offtakes

Bale grazing can improve the soil nutrients in low-fertility fields but needs careful management to avoid nutrient imbalances or losses.

It can enhance soil health by returning nutrients from manure to the soil, but you must also consider the nutrients removed during hay production.

Nutrient contribution of hay

Hay provides valuable macronutrients for soil health.

On average, 1 tonne of hay contributes:

• 9 kg nitrogen (N)
• 9 kg phosphate (P)
• 9 kg potash (K)

Ruminants excrete a significant portion of these nutrients, but not all are returned to the fields where the hay is produced.

To mitigate nutrient losses:

• Roll out bales: This will help to distribute manure and nutrients across the grazing area
• Rotate grazing areas: Avoid repeated use of the same fields each year to prevent nutrient hotspots

Further information and next steps