Adequate nutrition during winter housing is fundamental to cattle welfare, with forage quality, quantity and supplementary feeding all influencing health outcomes and welfare indicators.
Winter nutrition management directly determines cattle welfare from November to April. Inadequate energy drives body condition loss; mineral deficiencies reduce immunity; insufficient feeding space creates competition and stress. The welfare implications of winter feeding decisions compound over months of housing. Forage analysis-based ration formulation with appropriate supplementation is the foundation of good winter cattle welfare.