How to Run a Winter Feed Audit (And Save Money Doing It)

Every winter, feed use increases while daylight decreases — and that combination makes it easy to lose track of feed costs. A simple winter feed audit can prevent overspending and highlight hidden waste.

Here’s how to do it in under an hour.

Step 1: Count Your Inventory

Record:

• number of feed bags

• partial bags

• hay bales

• supplements

• grain bin levels

Use this as your baseline.

Step 2: Inspect for Damage or Contamination

Look for:

• holes

• clumping

• moldy smell

• droppings

• chew marks

• spilled feed

If a section of the feed room or hay yard shows repeated damage, mark it.

Step 3: Track Consumption for One Week

Record daily use to calculate:

• average consumption per head

• seasonal change

• unexpected loss

Most farms discover a 10–20% discrepancy between expected vs actual usage.

Step 4: Use Cameras to Diagnose Unexplained Losses

A camera instantly answers questions like:

• Are rodents stealing feed at night?

• Is livestock sneaking into feed areas?

• Are raccoons or skunks raiding bins?

• Are employees closing doors and lids?

• Are storms or snow drifts getting feed wet?

Nothing reveals inefficiencies faster.

Step 5: Make Adjustments and Recheck Next Week

Small fixes go a long way:

• sealing gaps

• moving feed off the floor

• reorganizing clutter

• adjusting storage methods

Barn Owl cameras help you monitor whether the changes work — without having to check the feed room every night.

A weekly audit can save hundreds by spring.