Successful wintering will:

• support good animal health and welfare
• minimise contaminant loss to the environment
• comply with regional council regulations
• protect valuable topsoil
• complement the overall dairy system and the work of the team on farm.

This will result in cost effective wintering with cows achieving body condition score targets and be beneficial for the herd owner and grazier.

There are three components of successful wintering:

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  Paddock selection

  The success of wintering starts with choosing suitable paddocks.

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  Winter crop establishment

  Once you have created a grazing plan and decided on which paddocks to crop, your focus will move to determining the best method of establishment.

• 

  Grazing the winter crop

  The successful grazing of crop paddocks is achieved through good management of people, cows, and the environment.