The winter months and routinely low air temperatures present unique challenges for feedlot cattle, particularly in terms of maintaining health and productivity. Cold temperatures, fluctuating weather conditions and increased feed requirements can induce stress in cattle and result in health complications. With a combination of preventive health measures, nutritional adjustments and environmental management, feedlot operators can aim to maintain the health status of their cattle through the colder months.
Provide ample and clean water
Water is the most essential nutrient for life. Access to fresh, unfrozen water is crucial for feedlot cattle, as dehydration can compromise cattle health and reduce feed intake. The minimum water requirement of feedlot cattle in winter months is 3.8 litres per 100 pounds of bodyweight. Decreased water intake can lead to digestive upset, further stressing cattle and impacting growth performance. In the event of a sizable snowfall, clearing a pathway to the waterer should be of top priority, and water sites should be well drained to avoid ice and mud buildup, which can be a tripping hazard.
Here are some tips to keep cattle waterers from icing up:
- Automatic waterers with insulated pipes and/or troughs
- Electric or propane heaters
- Heat tape
- Solar power
- Maintaining a continuous flow of water (continuous flow tanks)
- Windbreaks that shield the waterer from the wind to help reduce freezing
Adapting nutrition for winter needs
As temperatures drop, cattle’s energy requirements increase as they attempt to maintain body temperature. Cattle typically require around 1% to 2% more feed for every degree Celsius the temperature falls below their comfort zone, which is around -10ºC for cattle with a dry coat. Increasing energy-dense feeds such as grains helps cattle maintain increased energy demand. Providing extra roughage, which is a good source of fibre, helps the animal generate more body heat through ruminal digestion. When a winter storm is predicted to last for three or more days, implementation of storm rations becomes critical. Storm ration recommendations vary across feedlot nutritionists, but the general recommendation is to increase roughage in the diet by 7% to 10% of diet dry matter. Storm rations are critical when large snowfall events, which can make it difficult for feedlot personnel to deliver adequate feed to the bunk, are predicted. The increased roughage in the diet helps to alleviate digestive upset and risk of acidosis.
Create a sheltered environment
While cattle can tolerate cold weather reasonably well, cold stress is exacerbated during wet and cold weather. Windbreaks, such as trees, walls, man-made structures or strategically placed hay bales, reduce wind exposure and prevent snow from drifting into the pen. Windbreaks must be tall enough to block the wind; aim for 2.1 to 2.4 metres in height while still allowing for some airflow between breaks. Common products used for construction of windbreaks include windboards and guardrail with 5- to 6.3-centimetre openings between the rails. Guardrails require little to no maintenance, making them an excellent option for windbreak structures.
Offer bedding as a source of insulation for cattle when temperatures drop. Bedding made from straw (barley or wheat), cornstalks or other materials (i.e., flax or hemp) keeps cattle off the cold ground, reduces heat loss and provides comfort. Remove or top-dress fresh bedding onto wet or soiled bedding regularly, as moisture increases the risk of cold stress and reduces the efficiency of feedlot cattle.
So how much bedding is required during the winter months? The bedding requirements of feedlot cattle vary based on geographical location, winter precipitation/snowfall and size of the animal. Feedlots located in areas with colder temperatures and greater snowfall will need to bed more than feedlots located in milder, arid environments. In general, outside of a major snowfall event, feedlots located in heavy snowfall and cold environments are not bedding every pen, every day. On average, yards bed every two to three days during the winter months, offering anywhere from 1 to 1.8 kilograms of bedding per animal per day, depending on the magnitude of the winter conditions. During extreme snowfall events, feedlots may increase the volume of bedding delivered by 10% to 15%. Heavier cattle require fresh bedding more often, as they cover a greater surface area and release more body heat compared to lighter cattle.
Monitoring and managing animal health
Frigid winter temperatures are often accompanied by health-related challenges in the feedlot. Foot health and lameness become more challenging during freeze/thaw cycles, particularly if there is mud involved, and hairy heel wart can become more challenging to manage. In general, there are more physical injuries during the winter months due to ice and slick conditions, especially if yards are dealing with riding or buller problems in the pen. Hospital pens require extra attention during the winter months, as compromised cattle are more heavily impacted by the cold. Not only is the care of cattle critical during the winter months, but attention and maintenance of facilities is critical prior to the cold front moving in. Below are some tips on how to prepare your yard for the winter months:
- Check that water heaters are in working order.
- Ensure heated drug storage rooms aren’t at risk of freezing and destroying product. Once frozen, vaccines must be discarded, as they lose efficacy if thawed and used.
- Check on the status of your vaccine refrigerator, as household refrigerators can malfunction at low environmental temperatures and do not prevent products from freezing.
- Mark parasite control on your processing calendar. If you see cattle rubbing, you are behind on lice management.
- Vaccinate cattle against common winter pathogens prior to the cold front, as parasites can thrive in bedded packs and wet pens.
- Signs like coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy are indicators of respiratory challenges, which are more likely to spread in crowded or poorly ventilated pens.
Planning ahead is critical during the winter months. By preparing in advance, you can protect your cattle’s health, minimize performance dips and ease management challenges in the feedyard.
