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January 22, 2025 - Livestock Wintering Sites

Now is a good time to evaluate how well things are working.

Having settled into the winter feeding routine, now is the time to evaluate how well the site is functioning, especially from the environmental, economic and herd health perspectives. 

As local livestock producers begin calving, lambing, or foaling in the months ahead, this is the time to focus on fine tuning winter management practices, paying particular attention to the concentration of livestock, where they are fed and the management of the manure they leave behind. 

In the past, traditional wintering sites were often chosen based on requirements that may not be applicable today. Many unsuitable locations are still in use out of habit or convenience. 

Initial sites were often selected based on affordability because of easy access to water and natural shelter, at a time when environmental awareness was less a priority, herd sizes were smaller and alternative watering methods had not yet been developed.

Producers should be aware that wintering sites must be sited and managed to protect surface water and are regulated under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act.

Tremendous progress has been made in the past two decades. New and innovative methods for utilizing alternative sites have frequently been inspired by the farmer on the ground, making creative decisions to squeeze more cents out of a dollar.

Since livestock tend to collect in low areas, it has been natural to pick spots near creeks or rivers with ready access to water and the shelter of banks and trees to offer relief from brutal winter winds. With greater environmental awareness livestock producers have come to realize the need for change in some farming practices. 

Every operation is unique in its scope and geography, requiring innovative approaches to change. Modifications can offer unseen opportunities for expansion and improvement that can bolster economic returns, improve herd health and streamline the operation, while still operating in harmony with nature.  

Local producers are keenly aware of the effects that a wintering site has on spring surface run-off, with the potential to create erosion and spread pathogens into creeks, rivers and groundwater. Many have made changes, but are there more opportunities for improvement?

All wintering sites involve some degree of manure management. Increasing the distance between manure sources, such as bedding and feeding areas and the watercourse, will reduce manure accumulation and contaminated run-off.

While many farmers have already taken into account slope and drainage, and have a plan for the manure, consideration might be given to alternative feeding practices. They could include options like bale or swath grazing, utilizing manure resources more effectively and allowing for lower stocking concentrations with less environmental impact.

The same benefits may be achieved by changing feeding site locations to utilize stubble fields, winter pasture or swath grazing. 

Portable solar watering systems, dug outs and moveable windbreaks allow greater flexibility in choosing sites. The end goal should be to provide an economical, comfortable and healthy wintering area for livestock, without compromising surface and groundwater quality.

Wintering costs are usually one of the largest price components of variable costs in livestock production and these costs alone can account for as much as 35 per cent of the total cost of production.  

It only makes sense that all operators should evaluate past and current years’ methods for feeding, bedding and watering livestock to minimize concentrations of manure accumulation and surface run-off.

Taking a hard look at current site management practice may illustrate opportunities for improvement that can increase herd health, fertility, body condition and birth ease. Strip grazing and utilization of older pastures, while protecting forest and shelter belts, can drastically reduce infrastructure and yardage costs.

Realizing that the decisions we make today will have long term ramifications for our children and their quality of life can be sobering. When it comes to our environment, we are responsible for making sure we keep it, we preserve it and we look after it. 

Funding for improving winter feeding and bedding sites is available through Clearwater County’s Caring for my Land program. Portable windbreaks and shelters for the purpose of distributing nutrients away from run off areas are reimbursed at 50 per cent of the cost, up to $5,000. Call 403-846-4040 for more information on this program and others or visit www.clearwatercounty.ca/p/county-grant-programs.