Cattle can withstand some pretty severe cold weather as long as they are dry, university scientists report, but in extreme cold situations, some extra care is needed.
Some things carry a good/bad result, and body weight will be lost on most cattle. However, the best thing that can be done is to provide the best nutrition and water possible during cold stretches, scientists say.
The University of Minnesota published a report listing some things that can be done to help cattle through the winter.
BACKGROUND
Dairy and beef cattle are incredibly hardy, the report said. Cattle can live outside in the winter and do quite well even during winter storms if provided with a few key components.
Cattle work to maintain a constant core body temperature of about 101 degrees Fahrenheit, the report said. During the winter, the need for cattle to maintain their core body temperature becomes a challenge and can cause cold stress.
Cold stress in cattle is when their body temperature drops because their body’s natural metabolic processes plus the insulation provided by a heavy winter coat are not enough to keep them warm, the report said. If a cow has a dry, heavy winter coat, she can withstand temperatures below 20 degrees before feeling any cold stress.
COLD STRESS
The Pennsylvania State University Extension service said in a release that research refers to the Lower Critical Temperature when describing the ability of cattle to withstand cold conditions. The LCT is the temperature at which maintenance requirements increase to the point where animal performance is affected negatively.
The Penn State release said a fact sheet from North Dakota State University states that after adaptation, mature beef cows in good body condition during the middle third of gestation may have an LCT as low as minus six degrees during dry, calm conditions.
Critical temperatures for beef cattle are determined in part by the condition of the coat, Penn State said. Below the critical temperature, livestock must expend more energy to keep warm.
A chart in the release said cattle with a summer or wet coat have a critical temperature of 59 degrees, those with a fall coat can handle temperatures down to 45 degrees with no discomfort. Those with a winter coat can put up with 32 degrees with little trouble, and those with a heavy winter coat can stand temperatures down to 18.
The Penn State release also said, “several sources concur that for every degree below the LCT a cow’s energy (TDN) intake increases by 1%. Basically, the animal needs more energy to maintain itself.”
Windbreaks and bedding can be used to increase cattle comfort levels through the winter, but care must be taken to minimize snow drifting and mud, the sources said.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $172.07 per cwt to $173.74, compared with last week’s range of $173.00 to $176.63 per cwt. FOB dressed steers, and heifers went for $271.72 per cwt to $274.43, compared with $270.02 to $279.69.
The USDA choice cutout Tuesday was up $3.57 per cwt at $294.99 while select was up $7.42 at $279.98. The choice/select spread narrowed to $15.01 from $17.41 with 90 loads of fabricated product and 22 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.25 to $1.35 a bushel over the Mar corn contract, which settled at $4.43 1/2 a bushel, down $0.03 1/2.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Monday was $226.43 per cwt, up $0.82. This compares with Tuesday’s Jan contract settlement of $227.55, up $0.97.