Bale Grazing: Winter Feeding That Feeds the Land, Too!

When winter rolls in and the pastures stop growing, we have to switch up how we feed our cattle. Fresh grass isn’t an option, so we rely on dried, stored grass—also known as hay—to keep our herd well-fed and thriving. But here at Hi Brau Beef, we don’t just toss out some bales and call it a day. We’re always looking for ways to work smarter, not just harder, to create better beef while improving the land we raise it on. That’s where bale grazing comes in.

MORE THAN A MEAL

Cows are big eaters, but they’re not the tidiest. When they chow down on hay, they inevitably drop some on the ground. Some farmers might see this as waste—but we see it as an opportunity. That leftover hay becomes a natural soil amendment, adding organic matter to our pastures. Over time, this builds up the microbiome in our soil, creating healthier land that supports stronger, more nutrient-dense grasses.

Traditionally, farmers place bales in a feeder, meaning all the hay (and the manure that follows) gets concentrated in one spot. While convenient, this setup can lead to muddy, overused areas while missing a chance to improve the land more evenly. Enter bale grazing—our favorite wintertime soil-building trick.

WHAT IS BALE GRAZING?

Instead of keeping all the hay in one place, we take our bales and unroll them across the pasture, creating a 100-yard-long feast. As the cattle graze, they naturally spread out, distributing their droppings and leftover hay across a wider area. The key is timing—we match their nutritional needs with what’s available, ensuring they eat what they need while the rest goes back into the soil.

This method allows us to target areas with weaker topsoil, ensuring the nutrients are delivered where they’re needed most.

Over time, this practice leads to:

• Increased topsoil and healthier soil life

• More carbon sequestered (great for the environment!)

• Improved grass growth for future grazing seasons

• Reduced nutrient runoff and soil erosion

• More efficient use of hay and manure

LITTLE EXTRA EFFORT, BIG PAYMENT

The only real downside? It takes more effort on our part. Unrolling hay daily instead of setting it and forgetting it means more work, but at Hi Brau, we’re not afraid to put in the sweat equity. Every bale we roll out is an investment in the future—better land, better cattle, and ultimately, better beef.

So, the next time you fire up the grill with a Hi Brau steak, you can feel good knowing that every bite comes from a farm that’s working with nature, not against it. This is the kind of sustainable, soil-building, craft beef you can trust to feed your family.

Want to taste the difference? Shop now and enjoy beef raised with care from the ground up.