Managing the Winter “Mud Tax” in Cow-Calf Herds

Managing the Winter “Mud Tax” in Cow-Calf Herds

COLUMBUS, Ohio — If there is one universal truth about Ohio winters, it’s that they are rarely just cold. They are wet, unpredictable, and dominated by freeze–thaw cycles that turn lots and pastures inevitably muddy. While we often complain about mud because it pulls boots off and makes chores miserable, we sometimes overlook the economic toll it takes on the cow herd. Mud isn’t just an annoyance; it is an energy thief. The “Mud Tax” on Cattle E…