Autumn Farm Prep: Getting Your Livestock Ready for the Months Ahead

Autumn Farm Prep: Getting Your Livestock Ready for the Months Ahead

As summer draws to a close, attention on the farm begins to turn towards shorter days, wetter weather, changing grazing conditions and, for many farms, housing livestock.

A little preparation now can make the transition into autumn and winter much easier. From checking housing and biosecurity measures to reviewing nutrition and getting essential equipment ready, autumn is a good opportunity to take stock of your animals' health and your farm's supplies.

Whether you keep cattle, sheep, horses, goats or poultry, here's what to think about as autumn approaches.

1. Get Housing Ready

For livestock that will spend more time indoors over the coming months, now is the time to make sure housing is ready.

Consider:

  • Cleaning and disinfecting housing before animals come inside
  • Checking ventilation and drainage
  • Inspecting gates, fencing and handling areas
  • Checking water systems and troughs
  • Making sure you have sufficient bedding available
  • Removing damaged or difficult-to-clean equipment where necessary

Good cleaning and biosecurity practices are an important part of reducing disease risk when animals are kept in closer proximity.

Farm Vet Supplies product to consider: Antec Virkon S

Farm Vet Supplies stocks Antec Virkon S in both 50g sachets and 5kg sizes. It can be used on surfaces, equipment, vehicles and water delivery systems as part of an on-farm disinfection programme.

Farm Vet Supplies also stocks Omni Clean 5 Litre, a high-foaming detergent designed for the first stage of cleaning animal housing and equipment before disinfection.

Remember: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, including dilution rates and application guidance.

2. Review Your Biosecurity

Autumn is a good time to look at how animals, people, vehicles and equipment move around your farm.

Think about:

  • Are clean and dirty areas clearly separated?
  • Do you have suitable disinfectant available?
  • Are visitors able to follow your biosecurity procedures?
  • Are shared pieces of equipment cleaned appropriately?
  • Do you have suitable protective clothing available?

Poultry keepers should also pay particular attention to hygiene and biosecurity as birds spend more time in enclosed housing.

Farm Vet Supplies stocks a range of farm hygiene products, including disinfectants, disinfectant wipes and cleaning products suitable for a variety of animal-care environments.

3. Check Your Animals' Condition

The transition from summer grazing to autumn conditions can bring changes in nutrition and workload.

Take some time to assess your animals individually and look for changes in:

  • Body condition
  • Appetite
  • Coat or feather condition
  • Mobility
  • Behaviour
  • General demeanour

For cattle and sheep in particular, autumn can be an important time to review body condition and nutrition in preparation for the months ahead.

If you have concerns about an animal's health or condition, speak to your veterinary surgeon.

4. Review Nutrition and Supplementation

As grazing conditions change, the nutritional needs of animals may change too.

Depending on your livestock and farm system, autumn may be a useful time to review:

  • Forage availability and quality
  • Mineral supplementation
  • Water availability
  • Feed storage
  • Body condition
  • Nutritional requirements ahead of breeding or housing

Farm Vet Supplies stocks a range of livestock supplements, including products for sheep, goats and cattle.

For example, Oligovet Sheep/Goat, as well as products such as Natural Stockcare Cobalt, B12 with Selenium and Cobalt Fix Boluses, are available from Farm Vet Supplies.

Supplementation should always be based on the needs of your animals and your existing feeding programme. If you're unsure what your animals require, speak to your vet or nutritional adviser.

5. Prepare for the Breeding Season

For sheep farmers, autumn can be an especially important time of year.

If tupping is approaching, consider reviewing:

  • Ewe body condition
  • Ram condition
  • Ram feet and general soundness
  • Nutrition
  • Breeding records
  • Handling equipment

It's also useful to make sure you have everything you need before breeding begins rather than discovering something is missing halfway through the season.

Farm Vet Supplies product to consider: MatingMark Ram Harness and Ram Crayons

Farm Vet Supplies stocks the MatingMark Deluxe Ram Harness, as well as MatingMark harness buckles and ram crayons in a range of colours. These can be useful practical additions to your breeding equipment.

6. Check Your Farm First Aid & Monitoring Equipment

Autumn is a good time to check that essential equipment is clean, in good condition and easy to access.

Consider whether you have:

A simple Digital Thermometer C is available from Farm Vet Supplies and provides a digital display with an audible tone when a constant temperature is reached.

Farm Vet Supplies also stocks a range of long-arm gloves, bandaging products, syringes and other farm equipment.

7. Horses: Prepare for Wetter Weather

For horse owners, the move into autumn brings its own challenges.

As conditions become wetter, think about:

  • Mud management
  • Hoof care
  • Stable hygiene
  • Grooming
  • Rug and equipment checks
  • Maintaining appropriate exercise
  • Monitoring body condition as grazing changes

Getting your stable and grooming supplies organised before the weather deteriorates can make the transition much easier.

Farm Vet Supplies stocks a range of equine care products, including Leovet Hoof Lab Elastic Cream, Leovet shampoos, skin-care products and grooming supplies.

8. Don't Forget Goats and Poultry

Smaller livestock can sometimes be overlooked when preparing for seasonal changes.

Goats

Consider:

  • Shelter and bedding
  • Hoof condition
  • Body condition
  • Nutrition and mineral requirements
  • Parasite management
  • Water availability

Poultry

As birds spend more time inside, review:

  • Housing hygiene
  • Ventilation
  • Bedding
  • Water and feeding equipment
  • Biosecurity
  • Pest and vermin control

Cleaning and disinfection are particularly important when animals are spending more time in enclosed areas. Farm Vet Supplies stocks products suitable for cleaning and disinfecting animal housing and equipment.

9. Check Your Supplies Before You Need Them

One of the simplest ways to make autumn easier is to avoid discovering that something important has run out when you need it.

Take a few minutes to check your farm cupboard and make a note of anything that needs replacing or replenishing.

Autumn Farm Supplies Checklist

Disinfectant and cleaning products
Bedding supplies
Gloves and PPE
Thermometer
First aid and bandaging supplies
Feeding equipment
Supplements and minerals
Breeding equipment
Grooming and hoof-care supplies
Equipment batteries and other essentials

A Little Preparation Now Can Save Time Later

Autumn brings plenty of change to the farm, from shifting weather and grazing conditions to increased housing and breeding activity.

Taking the time to review your animals, prepare housing, check biosecurity and stock up on essential supplies now can help you head into the next season feeling prepared.

If you're looking for farm animal health supplies, equipment, supplements and hygiene products, Farm Vet Supplies stocks products for cattle, sheep, horses, goats and poultry, with delivery available across the UK.

Browse Farm Vet Supplies' range of farm animal health products and prepare for the season ahead.

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Posted by Farm Vet Supplies
18th August 2026

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