Advice shared for wintering cattle well

Winter-she's a comin'. It's a season to be endured for beef producers-as well as some dairy producers brave enough to out-winter cattle. Producers need to step up their management so that cattle just don't survive, but thrive in what's often a harsh environment.

Cattle increase their production of body heat in response to severe cold by increasing their heart rate, respiration and blood flow. This physiological response may result in lower gains and reduced feed efficiency-even with increased feed intake. This week Agri-View provides reminders to mitigate the negative effects of winter on cattle.

Vern Anderson, North Dakota State University animal scientist, says cattle adapt to cold during a period of time. Provide adequate good-quality feed so they can gain weight prior to the time severe weather typically hits. Fat reserves are insulation and will provide extra energy during severe old when feed may not meet their energy requirements.

Wean calves before severe cold to reduce cows' nutritional requirements and allow them to gain condition. Wean calves a few weeks before severe weather arrives if possible, as this will also give calves time to adapt to new rations and gain weight and condition prior to winter weather.

Sloping ground is also the preferred out-wintering site. According to Anderson, every degree of south-slope increases the benefits of the winter sun and is almost like wintering the herd 70 miles to the south. In other words, a 4 percent south slope is like moving the cattle from northern Wisconsin to southern Wisconsin, without ever loading them in the truck.

Don't skimp on bedding. Frequent bedding with modest amounts will keep cattle dry and clean, which significantly improves gains and feed efficiency. Anderson prefers straw but says corn stover is acceptable. Bedding serves two functions. It insulates cattle from the snow and ice underneath them, preventing hypothermia and frostbite, and it lowers their nutritional requirements. As cattle sink into bedding, it lessons the amount of their body area still exposed to wind.

A two-year study of steers at NDSU's Carrington research facility reveals that bedding improves performance and net return. Steers received either little to no bedding, modest bedding (about 20 pounds per head per week) or a generous among (roughly 35 pounds of bedding per week per head). Anderson compared straw, corn stover and soybean residue; performance was better with the wheat straw. Granted, depending on the harshness of the winter, you're going to go through a lot of bedding. Bedding with 20 to 40 pounds of straw per head per week translates to upwards of 150 tons for a 100 cows over six months of winter. Bedding when you're out-wintering isn't the place to try and save a buck though.

It's also recommended cattle be allowed to eat prior to bedding them. This will minimize the amount of bedding they consume.

Adjust the time of day you go out there and feed if possible. Anderson says to feed cattle late in the day during severe cold. The activity involved in eating and ruminating will increase the animals' heat production during the night. Feeding late in the day during calving may increase the number of calves born during daylight hours.

Be prepared for winter storms. Have snow removal equipment ready and in good repair. A backup generator may be advisable in case of power outages to maintain water pressure and heat sources, and run equipment to process feeds. Identify extra workers who can help during emergency situations. Remove snow from pens, especially in areas adjacent to feed bunks and water fountains, as time permits.

Don't be tempted to bring cattle indoors unless ventilation is adequate. Ammonia concentrations in poorly ventilated barns can cause major air quality problems. High humidity and crowding can reduce the insulating ability of the cattle's coats significantly. Diseases transmit more readily in humid crowded buildings, too.