Transition Cattle Inside For Winter

A  number of factors must be considered when moving dairy heifers or beef cattle inside for the winter after being outside for part or all of the summer season. The type of housing needed will depend on the enterprise and purpose of the animal. Most farms have facilities or systems already in place. Cattle may stay outside in cold weather, or need minimal shelter, except when calving. Trees may not be enough. A three-sided shelter open to the south may suffice.

 

In the November 2015 Wisconsin Agriculturist article Transition cattle inside for winter, UW-Extension Burnett, Washburn and Sawyer Counties Agriculture Agent Otto Wiegand shares the criteria for ideal winter housing.

 

 

Video: 3 Years Into Prop 12: From Concern to Record Performance

What actually happens when you operate under Prop 12 for three years?

Brent Hershey shares real-world results from his operation—moving beyond uncertainty to measurable performance gains.

•Record piglet production

•98.3% conception rates

•Mortality under 10%

•No additional labor required

•Heat stress effectively eliminated

This isn’t theory—it’s operational reality.

As the industry continues to adapt, this conversation challenges the narrative around Prop 12 and highlights what’s possible when systems, management, and execution align.