Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Six Tips for Managing Beef Cattle in Cold Weather
Winter has rolled in across Canada, bringing snow, freezing rain and chilling winds. As temperatures drop, it is important to monitor how cattle are coping with the cold and how it is impacting their ability to remain productive.
The new Winter Management of Beef Cattle webpage is a comprehensive resource for management strategies in cold weather conditions.
Below are six tips for managing beef cattle during cold weather:
Tip #1 – Provide Weather Protection
It is important to remember that when wintering beef cattle, they experience wind chill effects just like people do. Depending on the geographical location, natural protection from wind and snow is not always readily available. In these situations, construction of man-made windbreaks is necessary.
The effectiveness of a windbreak is only as good as the design chosen, which is determined by factors such as the number of animals utilizing the structure and the prevailing wind direction(s). A general recommendation is 1 foot of fence length for each cow.
Tip #2 – Water Access is Key
For optimum health, cattle need a consistent source and adequate supply of water on a daily basis. Water quality and intake will affect cattle growth and performance. Calves less than six months of age can consume between 20 to 50 litres of water per day depending upon temperature, while growing cattle can consume between 30 and 78 litres daily. Lactating cows require 40 to 60 litres per day.
Inadequate access to water during cold weather will limit feed intake and reduce a cow’s ability to meet its energy requirements. This results in reduced production performance and a loss of body condition.
There are many different water systems available, and the suitability of each will depend on a number of factors, such as herd size, water sources, access to power, local geographic conditions and cost.
Tip #3 – Put a Focus on Body Condition
One of the easiest ways to reduce cold stress in cattle is to ensure adequate body condition before winter’s onset. Thin cattle do not have fat reserves and require more feed than cows in good body condition in order to tolerate the cold winter months.
Monitor body condition regularly and, if cows fall below a BCS of 3.0, adjust the feeding program to include added supplementation at least 60 days before calving. It is important to remember cow maintenance requirements increase substantially (up to 40% more) during the winter and during late gestation.
A 1,400 lb cow will require about 200 lbs of body weight gain to move from a body condition score of 2.0 to 3.0. To make this change in 90 days requires 20% more energy than a cow that is maintaining condition; to do it in 60 days requires 30% more energy. This means it will be 20-30% more expensive to improve body condition during the winter.
Consider sorting cattle into management groups so you can feed them according to requirements. As an example, you might sort into three groups: 1) mature cows in good condition, 2) bred replacement heifers/second-calf heifers and 3) thin or old cows.
Tip #4 – Include Added Energy in the Diet
Cold stress impacts beef cattle nutrient requirements by increasing the need for energy, which can come from either extra feed or body reserves.
Energy is typically the most limiting nutrient in winter rations. A general rule of thumb is to provide an extra 1 lb (0.45 kg) of grain or pellets per day for every 5 degrees the temperature is below -20 degrees Celsius at midday. This means that a beef cow exposed to a temperature of –30°C requires a minimum of 2 lbs additional grain. However, the amount may need to be further increased depending on exposure to wind or if the cattle are wet.
Any additional grain in the ration should be introduced slowly and consistently to avoid upsets to the rumen.
Tip #5 – Provide Sufficient Bedding
Bedding provides a layer of insulation between the cold ground or snow and the animal, which is crucial to help prevent frostbite (including frozen testicles or teats), hypothermia and death. It also works to keep cattle dry and free from mud accumulation, both of which reduce the insulating properties of cattle hair coats, thus increasing feed requirements.
Remember, calves experience cold stress much faster than cows, which increases their susceptibility to disease and lowers growth rates. Areas bedded for calves must be kept clean and dry, with new bedding added frequently. In addition, calf warming areas and adequate colostrum should be prepared ahead of any expected period of extreme cold weather conditions.
Tip #6 – Frequently Monitor Weather Conditions and How Cattle Are Responding
Weather conditions can change rapidly, leading to compromised water access and rendering windbreaks ineffective. Dramatic changes in temperature put extra stress on cattle, particularly those groups that are more susceptible to the cold such as young calves and under-conditioned cows.
Have plans in place for periods of extreme cold weather and watch for signs of cold stress in your cattle.
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