{"id":19117,"date":"2026-05-20T10:42:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T10:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/?p=19117"},"modified":"2026-05-22T11:45:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T11:45:05","slug":"winter-feeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Feeding &amp; Silage Management Tips for Cattle Farmers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Winter feeding is one of the biggest costs for UK cattle farmers. Rising input prices make it more important than ever to maximise silage quality and efficiency while keeping youngstock healthy with the right calf feeding practices. Getting nutrition right, not only saves money, but also drives herd performance, milk yields, and weight gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/herdwatch-free-trial\/\">Sign up to a 30-day free trial<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Silage \u2013 The Foundation of Winter Feeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Silage<\/strong> is the cornerstone of winter nutrition, providing energy and protein for both beef and dairy herds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What is silage?<\/strong> A type of preserved forage made by fermenting grass, maize, or other crops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>When is silage season UK?<\/strong> First cuts are usually taken in late May to early June, with second cuts through the summer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Silage farming:<\/strong> Producing enough silage is critical to cover the entire housing period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How many days before silage can be fed?<br>Freshly cut silage should be allowed to ferment for at least 6 weeks before feeding, to ensure proper preservation and reduce the risk of digestive upsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/herdwatchng.app.link\/free-sign-up\">Start tracking feed costs with Herdwatch<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Silage Quality &amp; Testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The importance of silage to livestock cannot be overstated. High-quality forage supports milk production, growth rates, and overall herd health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What makes good quality silage?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dry matter:<\/strong> 28\u201335% is ideal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Energy (ME):<\/strong> Above 10.5 MJ\/kg DM for dairy cows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Protein:<\/strong> Balanced for the class of stock.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Smell &amp; colour:<\/strong> Sweet, clean aroma and leafy appearance indicate <strong>healthy silage<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular testing ensures you can plan accurate rations. Farmers often ask: <em>is silage good for cattle?<\/em> The answer is yes \u2014 provided it\u2019s good quality silage with no mould or spoilage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Managing Winter Feed Costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Winter feed is often the single biggest cost on cattle farms. Rising prices for concentrates and fertiliser mean every tonne of silage counts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Herdwatch, farmers can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Record winter feed costs in real time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a feeding cost calculator to budget rations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor waste and make adjustments quickly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This data-driven approach can save thousands over a winter season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Calf Feeding Best Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For autumn- and winter-born calves, nutrition is especially important. Proper calf feeding ensures healthy growth and strong weaning weights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key calf feeding tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Feed <strong>2\u20133 times daily<\/strong> in the first weeks, adjusting volume as calves grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use tools like a <strong>calf feeding bucket with teat<\/strong>, <strong>calf bucket feeder<\/strong>, or <strong>multi calf milk feeder<\/strong> to simplify routines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Calf milk feeding buckets<\/strong> with multiple teats are useful for larger groups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bucket feeding a calf<\/strong> requires correct hygiene \u2013 wash feeders and <strong>calf feeding teats<\/strong> daily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Monitoring calf weights and growth in Herdwatch helps ensure your feeding calf strategy supports performance targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--3\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/contact-us\/\">Speak to our team<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs about Silage &amp; Calf Feeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1758896874778\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">When is silage season in the UK?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Late May to early June for first cut, with additional cuts through summer depending on weather.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1758896894707\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What makes good quality silage?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Clean, leafy forage with correct dry matter (28\u201335%), high ME, and no mould or spoilage.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1758896902563\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I track silage feeding and cost in Herdwatch?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, Herdwatch allows you to log feed inputs, calculate costs, and monitor rations.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1758896908217\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What\u2019s the best way to bucket feed a calf?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Use a <strong>calf feeding bucket with teat<\/strong> or multi-feeder for groups. Maintain strict hygiene to avoid scour.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1758896918164\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">When can I start feeding silage after cutting?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Silage should be left to ferment for around 6 weeks before feeding.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Winter feeding is one of the biggest costs for UK cattle farmers. Rising input prices make it more important than ever to maximise silage quality and efficiency while keeping youngstock healthy with the right calf feeding practices. Getting nutrition right, not only saves money, but also drives herd performance, milk yields, and weight gain. Understanding [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":17349,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[355],"tags":[102,130,131,153,183],"location":[236,239,306],"class_list":["post-19117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-farming-operations","tag-agriculture","tag-farming","tag-farming-blog","tag-latest-news","tag-uk","location-gb","location-general","location-uk"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Winter Feeding Cattle | Herdwatch<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get ready for winter feeding with our expert guide. Learn how to test silage quality, manage feed costs, and follow best practices for calf feeding this autumn.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Winter Feeding Cattle | Herdwatch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Get ready for winter feeding with our expert guide. Learn how to test silage quality, manage feed costs, and follow best practices for calf feeding this autumn.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Herdwatch UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-20T10:42:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-22T11:45:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/Body-Condition-Score-ahead-of-winter-housing-1-1024x1024.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rachel-Herdwatch\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rachel-Herdwatch\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/\",\"name\":\"Winter Feeding Cattle | Herdwatch\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/Body-Condition-Score-ahead-of-winter-housing-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-20T10:42:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-22T11:45:05+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/a77c13dee885a4d1ac601f7a75a5b292\"},\"description\":\"Get ready for winter feeding with our expert guide. Learn how to test silage quality, manage feed costs, and follow best practices for calf feeding this autumn.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896874778\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896894707\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896902563\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896908217\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896918164\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/Body-Condition-Score-ahead-of-winter-housing-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/Body-Condition-Score-ahead-of-winter-housing-1.png\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Winter Feeding Fodder Calculator\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Winter Feeding &amp; Silage Management Tips for Cattle Farmers\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/\",\"name\":\"Herdwatch UK\",\"description\":\"Livestock Management Software\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/a77c13dee885a4d1ac601f7a75a5b292\",\"name\":\"Rachel-Herdwatch\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e8172352c9a3c2c7ea5ce767e9383c7ff55104e4b7dea1b0c2132344819209cf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e8172352c9a3c2c7ea5ce767e9383c7ff55104e4b7dea1b0c2132344819209cf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Rachel-Herdwatch\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/author\/rachel-herdwatch\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896874778\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896874778\",\"name\":\"When is silage season in the UK?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Late May to early June for first cut, with additional cuts through summer depending on weather.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896894707\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896894707\",\"name\":\"What makes good quality silage?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Clean, leafy forage with correct dry matter (28\u201335%), high ME, and no mould or spoilage.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896902563\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896902563\",\"name\":\"Can I track silage feeding and cost in Herdwatch?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, Herdwatch allows you to log feed inputs, calculate costs, and monitor rations.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896908217\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896908217\",\"name\":\"What\u2019s the best way to bucket feed a calf?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Use a <strong>calf feeding bucket with teat<\/strong> or multi-feeder for groups. Maintain strict hygiene to avoid scour.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896918164\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896918164\",\"name\":\"When can I start feeding silage after cutting?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Silage should be left to ferment for around 6 weeks before feeding.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Winter Feeding Cattle | Herdwatch","description":"Get ready for winter feeding with our expert guide. Learn how to test silage quality, manage feed costs, and follow best practices for calf feeding this autumn.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Winter Feeding Cattle | Herdwatch","og_description":"Get ready for winter feeding with our expert guide. Learn how to test silage quality, manage feed costs, and follow best practices for calf feeding this autumn.","og_url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/","og_site_name":"Herdwatch UK","article_published_time":"2026-05-20T10:42:45+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-05-22T11:45:05+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":1024,"url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/Body-Condition-Score-ahead-of-winter-housing-1-1024x1024.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Rachel-Herdwatch","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Rachel-Herdwatch","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/","url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/","name":"Winter Feeding Cattle | Herdwatch","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/Body-Condition-Score-ahead-of-winter-housing-1.png","datePublished":"2026-05-20T10:42:45+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-22T11:45:05+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/a77c13dee885a4d1ac601f7a75a5b292"},"description":"Get ready for winter feeding with our expert guide. Learn how to test silage quality, manage feed costs, and follow best practices for calf feeding this autumn.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896874778"},{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896894707"},{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896902563"},{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896908217"},{"@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896918164"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/Body-Condition-Score-ahead-of-winter-housing-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/Body-Condition-Score-ahead-of-winter-housing-1.png","width":1080,"height":1080,"caption":"Winter Feeding Fodder Calculator"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Winter Feeding &amp; Silage Management Tips for Cattle Farmers"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/","name":"Herdwatch UK","description":"Livestock Management Software","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/a77c13dee885a4d1ac601f7a75a5b292","name":"Rachel-Herdwatch","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e8172352c9a3c2c7ea5ce767e9383c7ff55104e4b7dea1b0c2132344819209cf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e8172352c9a3c2c7ea5ce767e9383c7ff55104e4b7dea1b0c2132344819209cf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Rachel-Herdwatch"},"url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/author\/rachel-herdwatch\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896874778","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896874778","name":"When is silage season in the UK?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Late May to early June for first cut, with additional cuts through summer depending on weather.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896894707","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896894707","name":"What makes good quality silage?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Clean, leafy forage with correct dry matter (28\u201335%), high ME, and no mould or spoilage.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896902563","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896902563","name":"Can I track silage feeding and cost in Herdwatch?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, Herdwatch allows you to log feed inputs, calculate costs, and monitor rations.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896908217","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896908217","name":"What\u2019s the best way to bucket feed a calf?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use a <strong>calf feeding bucket with teat<\/strong> or multi-feeder for groups. Maintain strict hygiene to avoid scour.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896918164","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-feeding\/#faq-question-1758896918164","name":"When can I start feeding silage after cutting?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Silage should be left to ferment for around 6 weeks before feeding.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19117"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19900,"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19117\/revisions\/19900"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19117"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=19117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}