Zip up the overalls and strap up the insulated boots. The temperatures are about to dip. As cattle producers, we know how to bundle up and face the bitter cold. However, your cow herd can’t put on the extra layers required when the temperatures dip below freezing and the snow begins to blow.
Although cattle are fairly cold hardy, the combination of cold, wind and moisture can cause unnecessary stress on your cattle. At VitaFerm, we understand that cold stress can happen. At BioZyme, our team members also produce cattle and have to worry about the impacts of cold stress in cattle.
We hope this blog will help you understand the impacts of cold stress and how to mitigate it. But first…
What is Cold Stress in Cattle?
A thermoneutral zone exists for cattle. This is the range of environmental temperatures when cattle don’t t need to expend extra energy to maintain their core body temperature. Cold stress in cattle occurs when the temperature falls below their thermoneutral zone, usually between 32 degrees and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on factors like age, body condition and breed.
The lower limit of the thermoneutral zone is referred to as the lower critical temperature (LCT). Cattle experience cold stress when the temperature drops below the LCT, typically 18 degrees, for those with a dry, heavy hair coat. The LCT varies depending on the thickness of their hide and hair coat, whether the animal is wet or dry and factors such as age, stage of production and body condition of the animal.
Cattle need to increase their metabolic activity when temperatures drop below the LCT, leading to cold stress. This can result in health issues and production losses.
Some signs of cold stress include:
- Shivering
- Reduced feed intake
- Lethargy
- Decreased production (milk or weight gain)
- Respiratory distress or increased incidence of illness
Factors Influencing Cold Stress in Cattle
Body Condition
Cattle with more fat reserves have better insulation and are more resistant to cold stress. Going into the calving season, cows need to be at least a body condition score (BCS) of a 5, preferably a 6.
Hair Coat
A thick, dry hair coat helps insulate cattle and protect them from cold and wind. Wet hair significantly reduces the insulating ability.
Wind Chill
Windy conditions can increase the impact of cold temperatures by stripping away the insulating layer of air around the body, intensifying cold stress.
Shelter
Winter cattle shelters can reduce cold stress significantly. Shelter includes windbreaks, barns and adequate bedding.
Nutrition
Increasing feed, especially high-energy feeds, can help cattle generate more body heat.
Key Effects of Cold Stress on Cattle
Increased Energy Requirements
Cattle use more energy to stay warm. Without the energy they need, you could see weight loss, loss of milk production and decreased reproductive performance. Therefore, it is imperative to compensate your cows with increased feed intake.
Decreased Feed Efficiency
Cattle exposed to cold weather often have lower feed efficiency because they are using more of their dietary energy for thermoregulation rather than growth or milk production.
Health Problems
Cold stress can weaken the immune system, making cattle more susceptible to respiratory diseases like pneumonia. It can also increase the risk of frostbite, particularly in calves or cattle with less body fat.
Behavioral Changes
Cattle often huddle together to conserve heat, and they may decrease movement to minimize energy expenditure.
Management Strategies to Mitigate Cold Stress
We didn’t want to simply provide you with information about cold stress in cattle without offering some solutions. Here are 4 management approaches to mitigate cold stress in your herd.
- Provide Adequate Shelter
Windbreaks, barns and bedding areas protect cattle from extreme cold and wind. Proper shelter helps keep the hair coat dry, and a dry hair coat drastically helps keep your cattle warmer.
- Increase Feed & Monitor Water Supply
Providing more energy-rich feed helps cattle maintain their body condition. High-quality forage and grains are important in cold weather. A high-quality nutrition program with a balanced supply of vitamins and minerals is also essential to ensure your cattle get all the nutrients they need.
Ensure that water sources do not freeze and remain accessible. Dehydration can further stress the cattle. Water is the most essential nutrient, and cattle can not go without it in the cold.
- Manage Body Condition
Ensure cattle are in good condition going into the winter months. Thinner cattle will struggle more with cold stress.
- Keep Hair Coat Dry
Wet conditions drastically reduce the insulating properties of the hair coat, so minimizing exposure to rain or snow is essential. Turn to extra bedding when extra moisture or precipitation is forecasted.
Proper management, including feeding, housing and overall care adjustments, can help minimize the impacts of cold stress and maintain cattle health and productivity during cold weather.
VitaFerm Can Help
At VitaFerm, we power our vitamin and mineral supplements with AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to increase digestibility. According to Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Director of Beef Technical Sales, Amaferm helps cold stress in two ways. First, through the volatile fatty acid (VFA) boost (energy), and secondly, with the Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) digestibility
“As a rule of thumb, every 1 degree below the LCT (wind chill included), a cow requires 1% more energy for thermoregulation. If VFA production is improved by 16% and VFAs serve as 70% of the energy cows utilize, that’s an 11% increase in energy availability. Going back to the rule of thumb, that’s 11 degrees of LCT the cow can tolerate versus the cow not receiving Amaferm. There’s no additional labor and the cows have one more internal tool to help them perform to their max,” Cassady said.
In addition to increasing body temperature, Amaferm also helps your feedstuffs and forages go further, helping decrease the overall cost. NDF is the portion of the forage typically associated with intake. Meaning as NDF goes up, intake goes down because more NDF means more structural fiber and slower passage rate. It also limits intake using gut fill (they feel full). Cows naturally eat more when the cold sets in, and if the NDF level of your forage is moderate to high, they may not physically be able to eat enough to meet their energy demand for thermoregulation. Amaferm to the rescue. NDF digestibility can help increase fiber breakdown so that physical fill doesn’t limit her ability to consume the energy she needs to “stay warm.”
Learn more about how cold can cows tolerate and the nutrition VitaFerm can provide your herd in the cold and year-round.
Get Your VitaFerm Today
Although cows are typically cold-hardy, cold stress in cattle is still something no producer should experience.
At BioZyme, we give you options within the VitaFerm line. Not sure what to feed cows when it comes to the VitaFerm line? Check out our Concept•Aid Product Navigator.
Get your VitaFerm products from an authorized BioZyme dealer today. Our extensive dealer network is here to help you meet mineral needs.
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