Overview: Wondering if your hay will last through winter? Ask these 3 key questions now to protect herd condition and ensure your feeding plan stays on track! 

Every winter, there comes a moment when you walk past the hay stack, eye what’s left, and ask yourself the one question every rancher faces: Is this going to last?
In Wyoming, cold snaps, wind chill, and uneven feeding demands can take a bigger bite out of your hay supply than you planned for back in September.

Running short isn’t just inconvenient — it affects body condition, winter performance, and the health of your herd heading into calving.

At All Around Ag, we work with ranchers who know the importance of preparation. The time to assess your hay supply isn’t when the stack is already low — it’s right now. Here are three key questions that help you make a clear, honest judgment about whether your hay will carry you through to spring.

1. Are Your Cattle Eating More Than You Budgeted For?   

Wind chill, frozen tanks, and long stretches of subzero weather force cattle to burn more energy to stay warm. When that happens, intake rises — sometimes dramatically.
A ration that worked fine in November may not meet the mark in January.

Cattle may require:

• 10–20% more forage on colder weeks

• Higher-energy hay, such as straight alfalfa or an orchard/alfalfa mix

• Steadier roughage, like Timothy, brome, or cow hay, to support rumen heat

If you haven’t adjusted your expectations for weather-driven intake, your hay plan may be off by several weeks. Take a look at how fast bales are disappearing. If you’re feeding more per day than you originally calculated, it’s time for a mid-season recalculation.

2. How Many Days Will Your Current Stack Actually Cover?  

  Most ranchers estimate hay supply based on “bales left” — but the more reliable approach is counting feeding days, not bales.

To find your real number, consider:

• How many pounds each group consumes daily

• The type of hay being fed (grass vs. alfalfa vs. mixes)

• Quality differences within the stack

• Any upcoming weather patterns that will raise intake

A stack of Wyoming Timothy/Garrison or North Park Timothy Grass stretches further because of its consistent fiber content. Cow hay or corn stalk rounds can also last, but lower energy levels may force you to supplement more during colder periods — which shortens your overall supply.

When you convert your hay inventory into days instead of bales, the picture becomes crystal clear.

3. Do You Have a Backup Plan If the Weather Turns Hard?   

Winter in Wyoming doesn’t care about your feed calendar. A single cold front can throw off an entire month’s worth of planning.

The ranchers who stay ahead of winter are the ones who build flexibility into their program.

A good backup plan includes:

• Access to higher-energy hay, like cow alfalfa, straight alfalfa, or orchard/alfalfa mixes

• Roughage options, like grass and mix bales, that can help stretch the program without losing nutrition

• The ability to adjust feeding times to help cattle stay warm overnight

• A realistic emergency buffer of extra hay

You never want to rely on the last week of February to find more hay — that’s when the market gets tight, supply drops, and quality becomes unpredictable. If your numbers already look tight going into January, it’s smart to secure more now while inventory is steady and availability is reliable.

Related Reading: What Frozen Water Tanks & Wind Chill Mean for Your Feeding Plan

Why Mid-Winter Hay Planning Matters More Than People Realize   

A feeding mistake in December or January doesn’t just cost you hay — it costs cattle condition, immune function, and reproductive performance.

Thin cattle heading into late winter require more feed to stabilize, which digs deeper into your supply when you can least afford it.

When your feeding plan matches the reality of weather, herd size, and hay quality, you protect:

• The health of pregnant cows

• The condition of replacement heifers

• The strength of calves coming into spring

• The efficiency of your entire winter program

And just as importantly, you protect your bottom line.

At All Around Ag, we’re here to help you make clear, confident decisions about your hay supply — whether you need cow hay, straight alfalfa, Timothy Grass, or a dependable orchard mix. If your inventory is looking tight, we’ll help you get ahead of it.

Also Read >> Ranching is More Than Meeting the Eye