what Is bale grazing? how hi brau feeds better beef (and better soil) in winter

When winter hits and the green pastures go dormant, the feeding routine changes, but the commitment to quality at Hi Brau Beef doesn’t.

Instead of just tossing hay into a ring and calling it a day, we use a method called bale grazing: a smarter, more sustainable way to feed cattle during the colder months while improving the soil beneath their hooves.

feeding grass-fed cattle in winter

Raising 100% grass-fed beef doesn’t stop when the grass does. During the winter, we feed our cattle stored pasture in the form of hay, which is essentially dried, nutritious grass harvested from our own fields. But we don’t stop there. At Hi Brau, we’re always looking for ways to work with nature, not against it.

That’s where bale grazing comes in.

what Is bale grazing?

Bale grazing is a regenerative winter feeding practice where we unroll bales of hay directly onto pastures rather than keeping it confined to a feeder. It may sound simple, but the results are powerful.

Rather than concentrate the hay (and manure) in a single, overused area, we strategically spread the bales across targeted parts of our pasture, especially in areas with weaker topsoil.

The cattle eat what they need, and the leftover hay, trampled stems, and manure all contribute to rebuilding and enriching the soil beneath.

the benefits of bale grazing for soil and cattle

Most folks think of hay as just food. But with bale grazing, it becomes a tool for soil health, too.

Here’s what this practice delivers over time:

• More topsoil from decaying organic matter

• Better grass growth in future seasons

• Healthier soil microbiome = more nutrient-dense forage

• Natural fertilizer from evenly spread manure

• Less erosion and runoff thanks to ground cover

• More carbon sequestered, good for the planet and your steak

It’s the kind of holistic, regenerative agriculture that puts land, animals, and people on the same team.

yes, It’s more work. but It’s worth It.

Sure, unrolling hay by hand across a pasture every day is a little more effort than dropping bales in a ring. But at Hi Brau, we’re not interested in shortcuts. We’re interested in craft beef raised the right way.

Every bale we roll out is an investment in:

• Healthier soil

• Healthier cattle

• Better-tasting beef

This is the kind of sustainable cattle farming that makes Hi Brau steaks stand out, on your grill and in the way they’re raised.

taste the difference regenerative farming makes

When you enjoy a steak from Hi Brau Beef, you’re tasting the results of intentional, soil-first, pasture-based farming. Even in the middle of winter, our cattle stay on pasture, live well, and eat better.

Ready to try it for yourself?

Shop Our Grass-Fed, Pasture-Raised Beef Now and bring home the flavor that starts from the ground up.