It is also hard on the person who does the feeding. If rock outcrops or old road beds are available, use them. Many producers are constructing hay feeding areas with crushed run gravel over geotextile. Discuss this with Agricultural Extension Service agents or N.R.C.S. representatives. Increase hay allotment in cold weather.
Nothing makes body heat better than consumption of plenty of good hay.
Corn does not increase body heat as well as hay. Carefully observe the body condition of the cow herd. When too many ribs and backbones are showing, increase hay or supplement Cows with body condition in the 4.0 range have been shown to be slower to re-breed and less likely to breed at all. This is particularly true with first calf heifers. Calves born to poorly conditioned cows are likely to have lighter birth weights and be more susceptible to scours and pneumonia.