Cold temperatures, snow and ice can stress cattle, but focusing on animal health and nutrition can protect them against the harsh elements.
Winter arrived with a vengeance across much of the Midwest in January as temperatures dropped below zero. Extreme cold, ice and snow put Missouri cattle at risk, says Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension state beef cattle nutrition specialist.
“When the temperature is below the lower critical temperature, a cow in adequate body condition with a heavy winter coat will use energy to maintain body temperature,” he says. “When windchill dips below 19 degrees F, cattle need extra energy to keep warm. They will eat more and need higher-quality feed to compensate for the cold.”
Identifying cold stress in the herd is as simple as looking at a cow’s back. While cows grow a thick winter coat, MU Extension dairy specialist Chloe Collins notes that a lack of snow on their backs is a clear indicator of cold stress.
She urges farmers, whether a pasture-based operation or beef producer running cow-calf pairs, to recognize the signs of cold stress and know how to mitigate it in the coming months. And it comes down to nutrition and basic animal husbandry.
Give cattle more energy
During extreme cold events, cattle tend to elevate their metabolic rate, which then increases their heat production, Collins explains. This process helps to raise the body temperature, but it also increases appetite and feed intake.
Bailey recommends cattle producers still grazing stockpiled tall fescue feed 0.5% of their body weight per day in supplement to provide extra energy during the extreme cold. “For a 1,200-pound beef cow,” he explains, “that’s 6 pounds of supplement each day.”
For those feeding hay, he suggests offering higher-quality hay during cold snaps, along with supplements.
Protection from the cold
Cattle are more susceptible to the cold than producers may sometimes see, so there is a need to offer extra animal protection during these times.
MU Extension livestock specialist Elizabeth Picking shares tips on preparing your herd:
Windbreaks. Minimize cold stress with windbreaks like lean-tos, barns, trees, stacked bales, hollows or brushy fencerows. Feeding in sheltered areas encourages cattle to gather there.
Cover. Wet cattle struggle to stay warm. Provide shelter — such as lean-tos, barns or trees — during rain, sleet or low temperatures.
Bedding. Use straw, hay, wood shavings, rubber mats or mulch to keep cattle warm, especially calves. Bedding prevents heat loss and reduces frostbite risk. Bailey adds that proper bedding in winter protects bull fertility. “Bulls can sustain long-term damage to fertility if forced to lie on frozen ground,” he says.
Water. Ensure cattle have access to unfrozen water. Mature beef cattle require up to 30 gallons of water per day. Heated or frost-free waterers are ideal. Electrolytes or salt mixes can boost water intake.
Bailey says these guidelines for nutrition and health can help keep cattle safe and ensure they continue producing high-quality beef.
Other signs of cold stress
Collins offers two other changes in cattle that producers should note in determining cold stress.
- Behavior. When it is cold, cattle will start to form tight huddles and look generally uncomfortable. If you’re seeing this in your herd, it may be time to find a location with more shelter or wind blocks. The more time they spend huddled up, the less time they’re spending eating.
- Breathing. These signs may not be as easy to observe from across the pasture. If you’re able to get close to your cattle, look at their breathing rates and see if they are shivering. Cattle that are cold will take deeper breaths and overall have decreased respiration. They will also shiver to generate more body heat.