Overwintering cattle on pasture appears to have a positive impact on biomass production, soil erosion, and manure runoff, in spite of the surface appearance in spring. Animal impact in spring or fall was beneficial if the duration is short and the rest period is long. Beef cow economics will not pay for silos, concrete feeding systems, and shelters. I haven't had a vet bill for two years. I had a mild outbreak of winter dysentery in 1997, but the animals survived it without medicines, special care, or confinement.
Shelter is a necessity in Minnesota winters.
This valley farm is ideal, with steep hills and terraces or timber for shelter during severe storms. Early June grazing is important to control cool season grasses and dandelions before the warm season grasses really start growing. The prairie area was grazed three times this year. I am beginning to think that the most sustainable grass-based systems would have warm and cool season grasses. Maybe you make formal measurements and send them to a lab, or conduct an in-field respiration test, or take an infiltration measurement.