Beef Cows Best Time to Feed in Winter

Practiced wintertime management practices help cattle tolerate the wind and cold temperatures. (photo by Erika Kenner, Leeds, Northward.D., 2005)

In the northern Corking Plains, winter is a fact of life in which astringent cold temperatures, frequent dangerous wind chills, and bravado and drifting snow are common occurrences.

Beef cattle increase trunk heat production every bit a response to severe common cold exposure past increasing their metabolic charge per unit (heart rate, respiration and blood flow). Animals consume more than during cold weather to meet maintenance requirements.

Beef cattle arrange to colder temperatures during gradual changes in the season by growing longer hair, changing their metabolism and hormone secretion (NRC, 1981), and depositing insulating subcutaneous fat if the energy level in the diet allows. A clean, dry hair coat and protection from the wind are very important factors that help cattle tolerate cold temperatures.

Later adaptation, mature beef cows in good status during midgestation may adapt to a lower critical temperature (LCT) every bit low as minus 6 F (NRC, 1981) in dry, calm conditions (Figure 1). The LCT is the temperature at which maintenance requirements increment to the point where animate being performance is affected negatively. Good winter management practices contribute to healthy and productive cattle, reasonable feed costs and humane care. This publication describes recommended management practices for beef cows during the winter.

Figure one. Human relationship of feed intake and maintenance requirements to temperature. (Adapted from NRC 1981)

Physical Environs

Northern Plains Conditions

Cattle producers can mitigate the winter weather to some extent with proper planning, facility pattern and good direction practices. Fall and spring in the northern Plains can exist challenging seasons for weaning and calving. In the fall, wet, common cold conditions negate the natural insulation value of the pilus coat critical to already stressed calves. In the spring, moisture and muddy condition can contaminate udders and atomic number 82 to wellness challenges of newborn calves.

Wind Protection

Beef cows demand protection from the air current, especially during periods of bitterly cold temperatures and astringent current of air chill (Figure 2, Wind arctic chart). Protection tin can exist provided by constructing wind fences or planting shelterbelts. The combination of synthetic wind fences and mature copse provides fantabulous protection (Anderson and Byrd, 2004). Multiple tree rows of varying height and maturity planted 50 to 100 anxiety upwind from the wintering pens will deadening the wind and allow drifting snow to drib amongst the copse, thereby reducing the amount of snowfall deposited in the pens. Shelterbelts should not exist grazed considering the damage from grazing will shorten the life or possibly fifty-fifty kill the trees and significantly reduce the wind and snowfall protection afforded by the trees, and the underbrush and grasses between the tree rows. Tree species selection and planting information is available from local Extension or Natural Resource Conservation Service offices, which take programs to assistance cattlemen in shelterbelt development.

Constructed wind fences can be permanent or portable structures congenital in the contend line or placed inside the pens for accommodating protection. Constructed current of air fences that are 20 percentage open and lxxx percent solid allow some air to pass through and reduce downwind velocity a distance of 10 to 30 times the summit of the wind debate. A 10-foot wind argue may reduce air current velocity effectively from 100 to 300 anxiety downwind, depending on wind speed and management. Porous current of air fences also will spread out snow accumulation. Solid fences will cause swirling and heavy snow accumulation immediately downwind and create smaller protected areas.

Permanent or portable constructed wind fences protect beef cows. (Carrington Research Extension Center)

Wind-fence construction information and shelterbelt planning guidelines are available in the "Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook" (1987). Temporary air current fences can be fabricated of bale piles (carryover hay or straw, or inedible biomass such equally bull rushes or flax harbinger) stacked forth the windward fence lines, snowfall piles pushed up by loaders, or other materials that will wearisome air current speed, such every bit large equipment tires.

Portable dogie shelters should be utilized where cows and new calves do not have access to creep areas inside sheds or protected lots. Shelters should be moved periodically, and bedded and checked ofttimes.

Wintering Sites

Larger herds and environmental concerns accept resulted in cowherds existence wintered to a lesser extent in traditional drylot facilities and more than on field feeding sites. Wintering on field feeding sites has some toll advantages because cows deposit manure on cropland or pasture, which saves mechanical lot cleaning, and it minimizes facility costs.

Several points should be considered when limiting the fourth dimension cattle are confined to wintering lots and feeding is washed in open fields. Protection from the wind remains critically of import. Where natural shelter areas (copse, coulees, etc.) are not available, provide portable wind fences for protection. Minimize the impact to riparian areas by not feeding near water courses. Move the feeding site regularly to avoid concentrating manure and runoff concerns. On farmed fields, hay delivery with a bale processor minimizes balance for subsequent field operations.

One of the bigger challenges to "out wintering" is the development of an alternative wintertime watering site. Good field access for feed delivery and power to bring cattle in to handling facilities for care are boosted concerns. Snow depth can create bug in field feeding as well. Creating multiple windrows of snow with a loader can stop drifting snowfall and provide a clean feeding site.

Bedding

Bedding is of import to aid mitigate the cold by keeping cattle clean and providing insulation from snow or frozen ground. Replacement heifers fed primarily forage for modest gains may be more susceptible to the physical stress of severe wind chill and can become "cold soaked" or thoroughly chilled, which may reduce thriftiness and gain for several weeks and potentially lead to other health challenges.

Bedding is also of import for beef cows, especially prior to calving in the wintertime. For mature cows in adept condition and where clean snow is available, bedding may exist needed but for calving. Bedding helps keep cows reasonably clean and protects the udder from frostbite and contamination. Bedded areas for newborn calves should be kept clean and new bedding added periodically.

Bulls definitely need bedding and air current protection, preferably sheds or more than protective structures than elementary air current fences, during the winter to reduce the possibility of frostbitten testicles, which tin can result in reduced fertility.

Bedding is important for beef cows and newborn calves. (Carrington Research Extension Center)

Pen Maintenance

Ice and snow buildup behind fence-line bunks and around water fountains may have to be removed occasionally during the winter. Removing ice and packed snowfall buildup volition provide better basis for the cattle and avoid slips and falls that can pb to abortions or injury to bones and joints. A backhoe with a spike or a payloader works well for this. Water fountains or tanks should be checked every day during severe cold to ensure the waterer is operational.

Frozen manure lumps in high-traffic areas can increase stress on feet and legs. Scrape and pile frozen manure and snowfall in areas where runoff is independent. Scraping allows easier movement for cattle, mechanism and people checking on cows. If snowfall removal from the pens is necessary, dump the snow in a site that drains into a containment construction. Runoff from clean snow should exist directed abroad from containments.

Removing snow and ice buildup provides better ground for the cattle and easier access to feed in the bunk. (Carrington Inquiry Extension Center)

Cattle Management and Nutrition

Accommodation

Prepare cattle for the harsh extremes of winter through nutritional direction in the fall. Make sure cows are receiving an adequate quantity and quality of feed to gain weight, put on some fat reserves and be in good body status prior to the onset of biting common cold. Weaning calves reduces the cows' nutritional requirements and, given fourth dimension, volition let cows to gain status if fed accordingly.

Animals that have adjusted to cold temperatures with acceptable nutrition may take increased fatty deposits that will act equally insulation and free energy reserves during severe winter cold. Practise not allow cows to become likewise sparse (condition score less than 4 on a 9-indicate scale) early on in the winter because once severe weather starts, maintenance needs increase and significantly more free energy density is required in the ration for cattle to gain weight. About ration-balancing software programs will summate maintenance needs based on conditions conditions, only the condition of the cows is the ultimate exam of the ration fed.

Adequate nutrition helps maintain cow condition during winter. (Lisa Pederson, Dickinson Research Extension Center)

Feed Intake

Voluntary feed intake of beef cattle increases with decreasing temperatures. Table 1 describes the proportion of increase in intake for decreasing temperature ranges. Cattle swallow 105 to 110 per centum of predicted intake when temperatures drib below 22 F and upward to 125 pct of predicted intake below 5 F (NRC, 1981). During severe common cold (wind chills of minus 20 F or lower) intake actually may exist reduced considering cattle are reluctant to leave sheltered areas. Feeds with higher digestibility, that is, better-quality fodder, should be fed during severe cold and so cattle tin can compensate somewhat for increased free energy needs.

A rule of thumb is to increment full digestible nutrients (TDN) 1 pound for every five degrees beneath naught F. Another version is to increase TDN 1 percent for every caste below the lower critical temperature, which in some cases with a dry wintertime coat may be as low equally minus vi F (NRC, 1981) for gestating beefiness cows adjusted to wintertime conditions.

While many factors influence voluntary forage intake, for planning purpose, cows may consume as little as 2.5 percent of their body weight as hay under mild conditions but may need to be provided up to iii.5 percent during severe common cold. Waste could increase the amount considerably.

Less than acceptable feed intake and nutrient content of rations for pregnant beef cows could have brusk- and long-term consequences. Sparse cows may be weak and have a difficult fourth dimension calving, and they may not produce high-quality colostrum, affecting dogie health. Calf vigor and rebreeding may be compromised as well. Fetal programming research suggests that cows fed less than acceptable protein during gestation produce calves that may not exist equally healthy or productive throughout their lives.

Supplementation

Various forages are used equally the primary feed source for wintering cows. Better-quality provender should be offered during the wintertime to keep cows in condition. Supplementation often is necessary to meet nutrient requirements of the animals when low-quality fodder is fed. Extended periods of severe cold tin can reduce cow condition, especially if cows are in marginal condition and the ration is not formulated for the severe conditions. Cows tin starve to decease on a full stomach if forage quality is low and no supplements are offered. Impaction can occur, resulting in loss of rumen office and, potentially, death. If low-quality forage is the primary feed, supplemental protein and energy likely are needed.

Accept samples of each forage (see "Sampling Feed for Analysis," NDSU Extension publication Every bit-1064, Schroeder and Sedivec, 2010) and send the samples to a reputable laboratory for analysis and so you know what nutrients are in your feed and you can add specific ingredients to balance the ration. Assistance with ration formulation is available through your county Extension office or from feed companies.

Frozen feed requires significantly more than energy to warm than moisture feed, such every bit silage or distillers grain. Frozen feed must be thawed and warmed to body temperature. The effects of ingesting frozen (or cold wet) feed on rumen microbes and digestive role are not well divers.

Interval Feeding

Nutrient-dense feeds, such equally silage, coproducts, grains and minerals, may be fed one time every ii days considering preliminary inquiry suggests cattle performance and rumen part are not affected negatively. Preliminary studies also suggest that lower-volume supplements (1 to ii pounds per head per day) may exist fed every third solar day without affecting rumen function. As an case, if cows are fed two pounds of a supplemental feed daily, feeding every third day means providing 6 pounds per head. More research is nether way to evaluate interval feeding for gestating beefiness cows. Nutrient requirements in the third trimester of pregnancy increase, and then intervals longer than two days may non be advisable without further inquiry.

Some other labor-saving technique is to pre-position forage in dissever pens to reduce the frequency of starting tractors or loaders. Separate adjoining pens will be required for this do. Feeding chores may be reduced to opening a gate every twenty-four hour period or two. Pre-positioning bales once per week may exist possible, depending on pen space, feeding arrangements and number of cows.

Grazing a multiday supply of bales in a field feeding setting (either set out periodically or allocated by temporary fencing) is gaining popularity to minimize feeding costs. To ensure the opportunity for cows to eat to their fill, encounter nutritional requirements and control waste, a sufficient number of bales of known or estimated weight must be provided. Feeding waste can be controlled by the amount of feed provided and by using a mix of bales of higher- and lower-quality forage. Higher-value and college-quality hay will be consumed with picayune waste, whereas some of the lower-quality provender of minimal value may exist left as residue and used equally bedding.

Sorting Cows

Cows should be sorted past nutrient requirements and fed according to need. This practise will optimize feed use and minimize overconditioned animals while permitting thin cows to recover without significant competition. Where limited lots or feeding areas will not accommodate grouping the herd past age and condition, at a minimum, a carve up pen should be prepare bated for loftier-need animals lacking condition, thriftiness or soundness where competition is minimized and meliorate feed can exist provided. Beginning-calf heifers and older, thin cows may be fed together with well-conditioned mature cows fed lower-energy diets appropriate to their production stage. Heifer calves kept for replacements volition not compete well with mature cows and should be fed separately.

Time of Feeding

Feeding cows late in the 24-hour interval during severe cold will increment heat product during the night past the activity of eating and ruminating. Feeding cows at night too may alter the fourth dimension cows calve, with every bit many every bit 85 percent of calves built-in between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. when cows were fed between v and 10 p.m. (Anderson, 1982).

Loftier-concentrate Diets for Emergencies

If the availability of provender is limited during severe storms, cows can be fed diets that are primarily grains or coproducts, but producers should manage carefully and sympathise the furnishings on the rumen. Feed must exist distributed so all cows have equal access to avert boss cows consuming more than than their share and potentially experiencing acidosis. This practice runs some adventure of nutritional problems.

Grains should be fed whole to reduce the rate of fermentation and acidosis potential. High-fiber feeds, such every bit wheat midds, soy hulls, barley malt or beet pulp, are preferred to grains due to depression starch content and reduced acidosis potential. Distillers grain contains high levels of fat and sulfur and should not exist fed as the sole feed ingredient. Careful planning and an extended adaptation period are recommended if high-concentrate diets are to exist fed to beef cows in the winter.

Water

Cattle should have acceptable amounts of make clean, fresh water available at all times. Near automatic h2o fountains operating on a pressurized water arrangement require energy to keep them from freezing. Energy-free fountains may be useful if more cows drink consistently and h2o from deeper wells enters the fountain at a higher temperature. Make clean water fountain basins often and check h2o temperature to ensure thermostats are working and non drifting to higher temperatures.

To reduce the energy use of commercial water fountains, consider adding more insulation inside the housing, and cover the concrete slab inside the fountain as well. Rigid-board insulation cut to fit is recommended because information technology does not absorb h2o. The water line rising to the fountain from the cached lateral line should be centered inside a 10-inch or larger bore insulated casing that extends x anxiety into the ground and acts as a oestrus well. Insulating the outside of the casing during construction where it passes through the concrete slab will reduce frost penetration. Steamfitters insulation may be useful for the riser pipe inside the casing, or a small calorie-free seedling may provide plenty heat to keep pipes from freezing. Consider roofing the exposed water surface with an insulated float, but secure information technology with a concatenation or cows may toss it out.

The "Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook" (1987) states that 16 head of cows tin drinkable per foot of h2o fountain or tank perimeter when cows are in a pen and have continual access to water throughout the day. Applied experience suggests this is a conservative number if h2o menses is acceptable.

Snow may be considered a water source in an emergency if it is soft and fluffy and not crusted or icy. However, some animals may not arrange to eating snowfall and suffer from aridity. Besides, thawing and heating melted snow to body temperature reduces cows' free energy resource. Petty research or information is bachelor on snow as a water source.

Health Considerations

Extreme wintertime atmospheric condition tin can result in hypothermia and ultimately cause death. Cattle that suffer hypothermia or frostbite are more prone to other disease conditions and certainly do not perform as well equally cattle that are warm, dry and out of the wind.

Treating sick animals in the cold poses a challenge for personnel and products. When transporting or using any veterinary product, vaccines and medications should be kept in a "warm box" with a temperature from 35 to 45 F (ii to 7 C) when used. Frozen vaccines can go denatured, and frozen antibiotics can precipitate in the bottle. A portable heat source or more than permanent chute-side heated and well-lit compartment on acme of a piece of work demote or chiffonier works well to safely handle syringes and sharp objects such as needles, prepare correct dosages, and keep ear tags warm and pliable.

Calving

Sort cows shut to calving into a more attainable facility for easier observation and addressing problems. A uncomplicated headgate-and-panels setup inside a lighted shed expanse is useful for solving dystocias. A dogie warmer may be useful if cows are calved during severe weather (see photo). Small pens for short-term housing to ensure cows female parent and calves nurse are very helpful in the shed with the headgate.

If possible, move cows that accept calved to a new pen or thousand to alleviate whatever problems with claiming newborn calves. This also will help maintain a healthy surround for newborn calves.

Crowding of infant calves in bedded shelters may increase the spread of scours or respiratory illness. Frequent checks, moving shelters and providing fresh bedding aid reduce these challenges.

Calving cows in the winter may event in frozen ears or tails, which is more of a cosmetic outcome that does not have an effect on performance. Frozen teats can exist a claiming until calves are a few days erstwhile and capable of consuming more than milk.

Winter calving is hard work for producers, family unit members and hired easily. Frequent checks of the shut-up cows, particularly during winter storms, likewise as the care of newborns and the all too frequent bug require continual try. Stress from petty sleep, long days and frustrations of calving can be detrimental to personal health. Train all involved to recognize normal calving and when intervention is needed, as well every bit other calving management practices. Rotating night checks and chores helps all hands ain the calving procedure and learn more almost what needs to be done.

A calf warmer can exist useful when cows are calved during severe weather. (Carrington Inquiry Extension Center)

Conclusions

Beefiness cows are capable of adapting to cold temperatures and maintaining condition if fed appropriately for the environmental atmospheric condition and provided protection. The challenge for cow/calf producers is to provide balanced rations with required nutrients for cattle to thrive regardless of the elements. Modifying the environment with current of air protection and bedding are good husbandry practices that will reduce maintenance needs. Additional reading is recommended for more in-depth information on nutrient requirements and other topics. Consult your local Extension amanuensis for references.

 Cattle can thrive regardless of the elements when producers use good husbandry practices.  (photo by Todd Finke, Berthold, N.D., 2008)

Anderson, V. 50., and J. Byrd. 1993. Consequence of shelterbelt protection on performance of feedlot steers during a North Dakota wintertime. Carrington Inquiry Extension Centre Beef Product Field Solar day Proceedings. Vol. 16:19-21

Anderson, V. L., and R.J. Wiederholt. 2007. The functioning, economical, and ecology value of bedding feedlot cattle during Northern Plains Winters. J. Anim. Sci. 85:19 (Suppl. 2.) Abstract.

MWPS. 1987. Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook. 4th Edition. MidWest Plan Service. Iowa Country University, Ames, Iowa.

NRC. 1996. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle. 7th Revised Edition. National University of Sciences. Washington, D.C.

Young, B.A. 1983. Ruminant common cold stress: Result on production. J. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 57:1601-1607

NRC, 1981. Upshot of environment on food requirements of domestic animals. National University Press. Washington, D.C.

MWPS-six. 1987. Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook, 4th Edition. MidWest Program Service. Iowa Land University, Ames, Iowa.

Schroeder, J.W., and K. Sedivec. 2010. Sampling feed for analysis. NDSU Extension publication AS-1064, 4 pages.

Schroeder, J.Due west. 1994. Interpreting Forage Analysis. NDSU Extension publication AS-1080.

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Source: https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/livestock/winter-management-of-the-beef-cow-herd

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