by University of Missouri Extension

Cold weather has moved in quickly with no plans of leaving soon, according to forecasts.

“It is officially winter in Missouri, and our cattle herds in southwest Missouri and beyond are feeling it,” says Chloe Collins, University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist. “Whether you’re a pasture-based dairy producer or running cow-calf pairs, knowing what to expect from prolonged extreme cold and knowing how to mitigate cold stress in your herd can help you navigate this weather with more confidence.”

Direct effects of cold

Collins says both beef and dairy cattle experience the same effects from cold weather:

• Frostbite damage. Any wet or damp extremity is in danger of frostbite. Ears, tails and feet are the most at risk, and newborn calves are the most susceptible. Frostbite will start to occur at 20° F without wind chill.
• Increased metabolic rate. During extreme cold, we can expect cattle to elevate their metabolic rate, which then increases their heat production, Collins says. That helps to raise the body temperature, but it will also increase appetite and feed intake.
• Reduced movement. Cattle may become harder to move during extreme cold. It is a side effect of their natural survival instinct to stay in what they’ve deemed their “protective area,” she says. They are also determined to avoid wind and areas with poor footing. If you are moving cattle, use proper handling techniques and avoid moving them too fast on slick ground.

“Another important skill a farmer needs to have during times of extreme cold is the ability to recognize cold stress in their cattle,” Collins says. Some symptoms of cold stress:

• Lack of snow covering their backs. Cattle with no snow on their backs when it is currently snowing is a definite sign of cold stress. Their coats are designed to keep heat in, so seeing snow build up on the animal means that the heavy winter coat is doing its job.
• Behavior changes. 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.
• Other signs. 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.

“Unfortunately, cattle are more susceptible to the cold than we may sometimes see, so it’s always a good idea to have extra protection ready for the unexpected.” — Elizabeth Picking

How to mitigate cold stress

MU Extension Livestock Specialist Elizabeth Picking shares tips on preparing your herd:

• Provide windbreaks. Wind chill can increase cold stress. Providing windbreaks can minimize cold stress. Lean-tos, barns, trees, stacked bales, hollows or bottoms, or even brushy fencerows can act as windbreaks. Feeding hay or feed in areas where wind is blocked also helps to get your herd to spend time in those areas.
• Provide cover from rain. Cattle’s ability to stay warm is drastically reduced when they are wet. When low temperatures and rain or sleet are expected, give them access to cover by way of lean-tos, barns or tree cover.
• Feed extra long-stem forage. One of the byproducts of hay and grass digestion is heat. The microbes in the rumen of cattle produce more heat when fed forage or other more fibrous feeds rather than starchy feeds like corn and pelleted grain. To take advantage of this heat produced by digestion, feed larger amounts of good-quality hay during cold periods.
• Provide bedding. Straw, hay, wood shavings, rubber mats or even mulch can be a great way to keep stock warmer during cold snaps. This is especially important if the ground is wet and muddy or your herd has small calves that do more lying down than adults and can lose body heat more easily due to their larger surface-area-to-body-mass ratio. Bedding also reduces the risk of frostbite to ears, tails, feet and testicles.
• Provide adequate access to unfrozen water. It’s always a chore during cold weather, but it is very important. When it’s cold, cattle should be consuming 1 gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight per day. Dehydrated animals can have a harder time regulating their temperatures. Frost-free waterers or heated waterers are good options. Access to electrolyte, mineral or salt mixes can encourage cattle to drink more water.

In addition, check your insurance policy on your cattle and see what your coverage is for winter weather-related events.

“Unfortunately, cattle are more susceptible to the cold than we may sometimes see, so it’s always a good idea to have extra protection ready for the unexpected,” Picking says.

If you have questions on how to prepare for and care for your herd during extreme cold, contact Chloe Collins or Elizabeth Picking.

Editor’s note: [Lead photo by Shauna Hermel.]

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 17, No. 1-B