Prepping for Winter on the Ranch

Hey there, friends!

Winter is no joke out here in Wyoming. It can be downright brutal, thankfully it's been a slow and easy start for all os us still scrambling to get things winterized :) But at Brewster Ranch we’ve learned how to roll with the punches and keep our animals healthy and happy, no matter what Mother Nature throws our way. Today, I want to share a few things we do to get ready for the cold months ahead. Hopefully, these tips will help you with your own livestock—or at least make you feel a little less alone when you’re out there chopping ice in subzero temps!

1. Keep Nutrition on Point

When it gets cold, animals burn more energy just staying warm. That means their feed has to do a lot of heavy lifting.

We test our hay to make sure it has enough protein and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) to meet their needs. This might sound a little over the top, but it’s saved us a ton of money on unnecessary supplements.

We don’t grain our animals—it just doesn’t fit our program—but truly with a balanced feed they don't need it! And of course, we always make sure everyone has free-choice access to salt and mineral. It’s the little things that make a big difference!

2. Water: The Real MVP

Water is something I don’t think ranchers talk about enough. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean animals need less of it—in fact, they often need more.

We’ve invested in heated automatic waterers over the years, and let me tell you, they’re worth their weight in gold. But we also chop ice every day for the animals that drink from the river. There’s something oddly satisfying about breaking through a thick layer of ice... but maybe that’s just me?

One thing we’ve learned the hard way is to always have a backup plan. If the automatic systems go down, we’ve got a tank heater and generator ready to roll. It’s all about trying to stay one step ahead of the weather.

3. Shelters That Work

Let’s talk about shelters. We keep it simple but effective.

Our cows and goats love the Nowood River bottom. The brush down there is thick enough to block the wind, and it’s their go-to spot when a storm rolls in. For the goats, we also use calf shelters. They’re super economical and do a great job of keeping everyone cozy.

As for our horses, they’re built for Wyoming winters, but we make sure they’ve got windbreaks and a dry spot to stand. Nobody likes soggy hooves!

4. Keeping the Equipment Running

You can’t take care of animals if your equipment doesn’t work. Prepping everything before it gets cold makes your life a lot easier!

We run winterized diesel, add anti-gel additives, and check antifreeze levels on the regular. Tractors, trucks, or anything with a diesel engine gets plugged in at night—especially when its below 0-15*. Even with these precautions we've had days where they just will not start! For those few times, we rely on Mark's handy Toyota Tacoma pick-up with a flatbed... When in doubt, you can flake square bales out!

5. Keeping an Eye on the Herd (and the Flock)

Winter is tough on livestock, and you’ve got to stay on top of their health.

We check through our cows and goats every day, checking for anything off—frostbite, limps, coughing, you name it. Goats can be a little more sensitive to the cold, so we’re extra careful with them, especially during those deep freezes. But honestly, it’s a good habit to check on all of them regularly.

That’s about it for what we do to get ready for winter here at Brewster Ranch. It’s definitely a lot of work, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it when the animals are happy and healthy. And honestly, it’s kind of nice to feel prepared when the snow starts falling.

I hope some of these tips were helpful for you. If you’ve got your own winter prep ideas, I’d love to hear them! Drop a comment below and let’s swap stories. Until next time, stay warm and take care of those animals!

—Kate