Things look different this time of year on Missouri farms and ranches. As the cold takes hold and snow begins to blow, our farmers and ranchers turn their attention to stewardship of livestock.

At Chinn Family Farms, we focus on cattle grazing, hay supply and infrastructure to weather the winter months.

Like most livestock owners, we keep our cattle grazing as long as possible. Although dry conditions returned this fall, earlier rainfall helped with grass growth in spring and summer. We were able to stockpile grass, allowing cows to graze longer.

Our hay supply is considerably better than the past two years, thankfully. However, we would like to keep it in the barn as long as possible before having to feed it this winter.

We bale cover crops, typically rye and forage beans, plus wet-wrap grass hay. These feed options, plus our traditional grass hay, provide options through the winter months for cattle at various age or lactation stages.

Test hay before feeding

My family cuts and bales hay from our pastures, but many livestock producers buy hay from other places in the state or even out of state.

Whether you bale your own or purchase hay, consider having it tested before feeding. Quality can vary tremendously, depending upon the level of maturity, growing conditions and storage methods. A lab analysis will provide the nutrient value of the hay, which helps your bottom line as you determine feeding rate.

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Another important reason to test hay is to ensure you are not feeding a dangerously high nitrate level. Some annual forages growing in Missouri can accumulate high levels of nitrates under difficult growing conditions that can potentially reach toxic levels.

Eye on cattle nutrition

Many producers graze their cattle on cornstalks, which can be a good, economical feed source, but be mindful about the livestock you turn out on corn residue.

Nutrient needs vary dramatically for weaned calves to first-calf heifers or mature cows. Scout the field, determine the stocking rate and supplement any feed those animals need, based on their age and nutrient requirements.

The important thing is to make sure your livestock are receiving the proper nutrition during winter months.

Livestock of all types require more energy to maintain body temperature during cold weather. Undernourished animals are more prone to stress, affecting their own growth if they are young animals, or the ability to care for offspring if they are a lactating mother.

Check your winter setup

My husband and son are positioning our cattle now, so winter care is easier on them and the animals.

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Cattle are brought to freeze-proof automatic waterers and away from ponds that freeze. We also use pastures with windbreaks or bring animals near a barn for them to get in out of the weather.

Hay and other feed sources are stored close to eliminate lengthy travel times to feed livestock. Animals are also grouped according to their nutritional needs over the winter.

Follow market action

Livestock auctions across Missouri will see an increase in movement as the year comes to an end and a new year begins, as livestock farmers sell their calf crop to collect their hard-earned paycheck.

Our state has a strong livestock auction community, vital to producers with 10 head or 300 head. Missouri Department of Agriculture livestock market reporters will be in barns across the state to capture price, size and quality of the animals moving through. I appreciate the work our team does to help create and report a fair market for producers of all sizes.

While these winter days can be daunting and challenging, Missouri is consistently a leader in livestock production because our farmers and ranchers excel at caring for their animals and raising quality products for consumers across the globe. We are proud to be part of the livestock industry at our family farm.

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Chinn is the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and lives on a diversified farming operation in northeast Missouri.