– Victor Shelton, Retired NRCS Agronomist/Grazing Specialist
Winter stockpiled fescue provides reliable forage and keeps pastures healthy into spring.
December has a way of bringing the year into focus. By the time the last leaves have blown away, and the pasture has stopped changing from week to week, we finally get a chance to look back and evaluate what the season gave us. Weather patterns across Indiana varied throughout 2025. Some areas received decent moisture; others dealt with dryness or rain that came out of rhythm with forage needs. Even within my own operation, some pastures held up beautifully while others struggled. My forage quality was also precarious. Every year reminds us that the only constant is variability. Even so, winter always arrives, and with it comes the shift from growing forage to managing what we’ve grown.
Stockpiled forage is the backbone of winter grazing, and this year is no different. Tall fescue continues to prove itself as the most reliable winter feed in the Midwest. Its ability to hold nutritional value, stay upright and withstand repeated freeze–thaw cycles is unmatched. Good orchardgrass is worth having, but it should be used first; it doesn’t hold together once winter sets in. Fescue, on the other hand, ages gracefully, and a well-managed stockpile often beats hay that could have been cut from the same field at the same stage—both nutritionally and fiscally.
The key to making stockpiling work is timing. Dormancy is the line in the sand. Once plants experience several nights at 25 degrees or below, the risk of damaging next spring’s growth drops significantly. In parts of Indiana this year, dormancy came later because of milder stretches of weather, but some areas are still waiting. That weather variability makes it even more important to watch the pasture itself rather than the calendar. Grazing too early can strip remaining leaves, initiating the plant to try and regrow while pulling from root reserves and setting the plant back. But once forage is dormant, it becomes a renewable winter resource that can be grazed down to a reasonable residual without harming spring regrowth.
Residual height still matters, even in winter. Leaving a few inches protects the soil surface, reduces erosion, enhances infiltration and helps catch moisture from snowmelt or winter rains. Fields that enter winter with strong residue respond better in spring. Controlled allocations, offering livestock one to three days of forage at a time, help stretch the stockpile and keep nutrients near where the forage was grown. Once plants are dormant, back-fencing becomes less critical; but controlled access still helps maintain even grazing and avoid selective pressure. While managing forage, it’s also worth checking that livestock maintain body condition and get adequate minerals, especially in years with variable weather.
Where stockpile is thin or dormancy hasn’t fully set in, bale grazing becomes a useful tool—not only for feeding livestock, but also for improving soil fertility and building organic matter. I’ve used bale grazing on my own farm and can attest to its long-term value when done with purpose. Placing bales strategically across weaker areas, thin soils or places needing more organic matter turns each feeding location into a nutrient deposit and soil-building event. As the animals work through each bale, they leave behind a mix of trampled hay, manure and urine that feeds soil biology and improves water-holding capacity. The results show up in the following growing season: darker soil, thicker forage, more even growth and more resilience during hot or dry spells.
Bale grazing is especially valuable in years when stockpile is limited or delayed. Instead of opening up pastures too early and risking long-term damage, feeding a few bales in targeted spots keeps livestock fed while protecting the perennial base. It also reduces tractor time and mud issues compared to feeding in the same concentrated area all winter. Spreading bales several yards apart distributes nutrients more evenly. Because livestock pull apart and trample part of the outer layer, much of the carbon enters the soil quickly. Don’t continue feeding in the same area. Once bales are consumed, it’s time to move on to start recovery. Bale grazing has repeatedly shown through university and producer trials to be one of the most cost-effective ways to distribute nutrients and improve weaker ground.
Temporary fencing continues to make both stockpile grazing and bale grazing more efficient. Good reels, strong poly-wire with multiple stainless-steel strands, and durable step-in posts with steel tips make life easier when the ground starts getting hard. In frozen soils, sturdy posts make the difference between a simple move and a frustrating one. Longer, narrower paddocks simplify allocations and movement, especially when animals are eager to move into fresh forage. During winter grazing, water access is more important than back-fencing, and a single water point often suffices since trailing is reduced in cold weather.
One of the quiet benefits of winter grazing is how much it reveals about pasture structure and management. When everything is green and growing, it’s easy to overlook weaker or thinner areas or places lacking organic matter. Winter exposes them. These are often the ideal spots for bale grazing or heavier stockpile use the next year. Each winter becomes a chance to rebuild the system from the ground up—literally. Areas that were overtaken by annuals during the season stick out compared to green stockpiled forage.
December also encourages reflection. What did we do well this year? What needs adjustment? Did we leave enough residual going into fall? Did we provide enough rest during the growing season? Did we protect the soil when conditions were less than ideal? These questions help guide next year’s planning. Grazing management isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about making thoughtful decisions that accumulate over time—regeneratively.
As we head into the heart of winter, remember that the goal isn’t to maximize a single grazing event but to extend the grazing season while improving the land. Protect the forage base, build soil where you can, use bale grazing as a tool when needed and let the winter months work in your favor. It’s not about maximizing a single grazing event but optimizing the entire grazing season. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and keep on grazing!