Seasonal Feeding Guide: How to Adjust Cattle Feed for Monsoon, Summer & Winter
Dairy farming is not the same throughout the year. Every season brings changes in temperature, humidity, water availability, and pasture quality. All these directly affect cattle digestion, immunity, energy levels, and milk yield. That is why a farmer must understand how to adjust feed according to weather, so the animal stays healthy and productive.
Below is a clear, farmer-friendly explanation of how seasonal feeding works — in summer, monsoon and winter.
1. Summer Feeding — Helping Cattle Beat the Heat & Maintain Milk Yield
Summer is the toughest season for cattle because extreme heat reduces appetite and increases body stress. Animals eat less but their body needs more energy to stay cool. This mismatch often leads to drop in milk yield, dehydration and weakness.
During summer, cattle feed must provide more energy, more minerals and more hydration support. High-heat conditions also cause loss of electrolytes, which affects milk flow.
✔ How to Feed Cattle in Summer
Cattle should be given easily digestible, energy-rich feed that does not create internal heat. Balanced feed with proteins and minerals helps maintain strength. Animals must have access to clean drinking water all day. Green fodder, when available, cools the body naturally and improves digestion. Shade, ventilation and avoiding noon-time feeding further prevent heat stress.
A farmer who adjusts feed correctly in summer will notice that cattle stay active, drink more water, face fewer digestive issues, and maintain stable milk output despite high temperatures.
2. Monsoon Feeding — Protecting Digestion, Immunity & Udder Health
Monsoon brings moisture, mud, insects and fungus — all of which affect cattle health. Digestive problems are most common in this season because damp fodder ferments easily, leading to gas, indigestion and infections. Immunity also drops due to sudden weather changes.
That’s why monsoon nutrition must focus on gut health, clean feed, immunity boosters and dry feeding areas.
✔ How to Feed Cattle During Monsoon
Farmers should avoid wet, spoiled or fungus-prone fodder. Cattle must be given balanced feed containing probiotics, minerals like zinc & copper, and vitamins that support immunity. Fibre is extremely important in monsoon because it stabilises digestion and prevents gas formation. Providing feed in a dry, clean area reduces contamination.
If feeding is done correctly in monsoon, cattle fall sick less often, maintain proper digestion, retain milk consistency, and remain strong during frequent weather shifts.
3. Winter Feeding — Supporting Energy, Warmth & Milk Consistency
Winter may feel comfortable, but for cattle it increases calorie demand. The body burns extra energy to stay warm, which means animals need more nutrition than usual. If energy intake is not enough, milk yield drops and cattle become weak.
Winter feeding must focus on extra calories, high protein, mineral balance and slightly warm drinking water.
✔ How to Feed Cattle in WinterÂ
Farmers should give feed rich in carbohydrates and protein to support warmth and muscle function. Dry fodder increases internal heat naturally and is helpful in cold regions. Warm water improves digestion and prevents cold stress. Minerals must be given regularly because winter affects fertility and udder health.
A well-fed animal in winter remains strong, active, and continues producing milk without seasonal drop.
Conclusion
Seasonal feeding is not complicated — it is simply about understanding what your cattle need as the weather changes. Summer demands hydration and energy, monsoon requires digestive protection and immunity support, and winter needs warmth-producing nutrition. When a farmer adjusts feed with awareness, cattle stay healthier, milk yield becomes consistent, and overall farm productivity increases.
Shreeji Agrovet’s scientifically balanced feeds are designed to support cattle across all seasons, ensuring strong immunity, smooth digestion and stable production throughout the year.