Marshfield, Mo. – Cold weather has moved into Missouri quickly with no plans on leaving soon, according to forecasts.
“It is officially winter in Missouri and our cattle herds in southwest Missouri and beyond are feeling it,” said Chloe Collins, University of Missouri 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 impact from cold
Collins says both beef and dairy cattle experience the same effects from cold weather:
Frostbite damage: Any extremity that becomes wet or damp is at risk to contracting frostbite. Ears, tails and even feet are the most at-risk areas of cattle, and newborn calves are the most susceptible. Frostbite will start to occur at 20 degrees without wind chill.
Increased metabolic rate: During extreme cold we can expect cattle to increase their metabolic rate, which then increases their heat production. That increased metabolism will help to increase the body temperature but will also increase their appetite and feed intake.
Reduced movement: Cattle may become harder to move during extreme cold. It is a side effect on their natural survivability instinct making them want to stay in what they’ve deemed their “protective area.” They are also determined to avoid any poor footing areas, wind and, of course, the cold. If you are moving cattle, be sure to 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 said. Cold stress symptoms can look like:
Lack of snow covering their back: If it is currently snowing and cattle have none on their back that is a definite sign of cold stress. Cattles’ coats are designed to keep heat in, so seeing snow build up on the animal means that heavy winter coat is doing its job.
Behavior changes: Cattle will start to form tight huddles during the cold 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 see from across the pasture so if you’re able to get close to your cattle, look at their breathing rate and 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.
How to mitigate cold stress
Elizabeth Picking, MU Extension livestock specialist, shares tips on what practices best prepare your herd:
Provide windbreaks: Wind-chill can increase cold stress on livestock. Providing wind breaks can help minimize cold stress. Lean-tos, barns, trees, stacked bales, hollows or bottoms, or even brushy fence rows can act as wind breaks. 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: Even with heavy winter coats, if cattle are wet, their ability to stay warm is drastically reduced. A wet coat is equivalent to a summer hair coat in terms of heat retention. When cold temps and rain or sleet are expected, it is best to give them access to cover by way of lean-tos, barns or tree cover.
Feed extra long-stem forage: One of the by-products of hay or 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 or pelleted grain. To take advantage of this heat produced by digestion, it is best to 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 on the ground that do more laying down than adults and can lose body heat more easily during cold temperatures due to their larger surface area to body mass ratio. Providing 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 is very important. During cold weather, 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 temperature than properly hydrated animals. Frost-free waterers or heated waterers are good options for maintaining unfrozen water. Providing access to electrolytes, mineral or salt mixes can also help 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,” said Picking.
If you have any questions on how to best prepare for and care for your herd during this extreme cold, please contact Chloe Collins at chloecollins@missouri.edu or Elizabeth Picking macconnelle@missouri.edu.
