Make the Most of Forages with Transition to Hay
Published: Friday, November 14, 2025
That time of year is rapidly approaching once again! Some of you may have already started supplementing hay to prevent overgrazing now that pasture growth has slowed, while others are trying to stretch the grazing season as long as possible to make your hay supply last until spring.
In either case, it's important to remember a few key points as we head into winter:
Transition animals gradually onto hay. It might not seem like a big change, but for some animals, a sudden switch can upset their digestive system. Also, be sure to leave enough pasture growth to recover quickly in the spring—aim to keep forage height above 3-4 inches.
Also, be mindful of prussic acid poisoning. If your pastures contain sorghum species, Sudangrass or johnsongrass, frost or drought stress can cause these plants to produce and accumulate prussic acid.
While animals must consume a significant amount for it to be fatal, it's still safest to avoid grazing these forages until after a killing frost, when no regrowth will occur. If regrowth does happen, wait until plants reach 18–24 inches tall before turning animals back out—this applies in the spring, drought conditions and general management as well.
These grasses are safest to feed as part of a silage mix, rather than grazing or baling for hay.
Think strategically about how you feed hay. There's no one-size-fits-all method—it depends on your herd size, pasture conditions, and available equipment. Many of us get frustrated seeing hay wasted and trampled into the mud, but there are ways to reduce that loss:
For large herds rolling a round bale out on the ground can work well. For smaller herds, consider rolling out smaller bales or spreading flakes of hay in several piles to encourage animals to spread out. Sheep tend to stay together to stay warm, so you might do fewer piles that are a stretched out a bit.
If using feeders, there are many designs available, from traditional open-bottom ring feeders to elevated models that keep bales off the ground and catch fallen hay.
Consider your ground conditions. If your pasture tends to get soft or muddy in the winter, think about how long a bale will last sitting on wet ground and how much mud will build up around your feeder. A simple fix could be to build up a gravel pad or mound where the feeder sits—this helps with drainage and provides dry footing, though it does limit your ability to move the feeder.
Portable feeders, including wheeled square bale feeders, can be a great option for rotating feeding sites. They help limit hay waste, reduce mud buildup, and keep animals from congregating in one area of the pasture all winter.
Provide comfort and protection. If you have a windbreak area, consider adding chopped cornstalks or bedding to give livestock a dry place to lie down. You can place feeders in that area during extreme weather, then move them back into the pasture on milder days to encourage animals to move around.
Finally, test your hay. Knowing the nutritional value of your hay is essential for maintaining body condition through the winter. Feeding hay with low nutrient levels makes it harder for animals to maintain weight, especially in cold weather. On the other hand, high-quality hay can reduce the amount needed and minimize the need for grain supplementation.
A little planning now can make your winter feeding season smoother, more efficient, and easier on both your animals and your hay supply.
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