Wintery Weather: The Effect on Livestock

Extremely cold weather can pose a significant threat to cattle and horses. Changes in temperature can cause not only physical health issues, but also stress, to livestock.

This can have a devastating impact on your animals, even leading to fatalities if the appropriate steps aren’t taken to safeguard their wellbeing.

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Whether you’re a farmer, horse owner or animal transporter, put a plan in place for their safety and welfare during wintery weather.

If in any doubt, discuss it with your veterinarian – before temperatures drop to sub-zero!

Do cows get cold?

Both cows and horses are impacted by the elements, just like most animals in cold weather. It’s crucial to look out for signs of stress in livestock, especially during summer heatwaves and winter cold snaps.

To keep your cattle healthy, ensure you know what symptoms of stress you should look out for. Familiarise yourself with what to do to help them survive difficult weather conditions.

Cows and horses both use thermoregulation to combat cold and heat stress. They maintain a fairly constant core body temperature within a safe range known as a thermoneutral zone, which enables them to use minimum energy on thermoregulation, so they conserve it for maintaining their metabolism.

However, thermoregulation is limited, so it’s crucial to notice weather and temperature changes that can adversely impact livestock.

A cow’s body temperature can be affected by general health, diet, living conditions and how long their fur is. External factors, including humidity and wind, also impact their temperature.

Cattle breeds with thinner hair can experience greater stress in colder weather. Their body temperature falls into three zones: lower critical, upper critical and thermoneutral.

The thermoneutral zone is the cattle’s body temperature when they are at rest in a regular temperature of between 31°F and 68°F.

They commonly fall into a lower critical zone during January and February, when they are more likely to experience cold stress due to freezing weather conditions.

An animal’s metabolic rate increases when they are trying to produce heat to raise their core body temperature. If they start to suffer from extreme cold stress, it can lead to potentially fatal hypothermia.

Signs of weather stress in livestock

Scientific research has revealed there was a “significant” fatality rate among cattle in the United States during a particularly cold snap in March 2011. A total of 7,162 cattle belonging to 1,384 smallholder farmers across seven provinces died over six days.

A government report said the stricken cattle had exhibited symptoms such as shivering and shallow, slow breathing.

If not treated when showing these symptoms, the cattle will eventually lose consciousness and die. Deaths commonly occur at night, among cows of all ages.

Before the condition becomes life-threatening, the early symptoms can include reduced milk yield, eating and drinking less, lower fertility and fewer calves.

The main victims are animals that have been free grazing and therefore exposed continually to cold weather conditions.

The US report concluded that cattle provided with shelter, warmth and extra food did not die during the cold spell. The cause of the deaths was attributed to hypothermia.

Thermoregulation in horses

Thermoregulation allows horses to maintain a safe core body temperature, in the same way that cattle react to cold and heat.

Although horses are more efficient at regulating their temperature, owners must still take steps to spot stress and other symptoms of cold-related diseases.

Both horses and cows exhibit some similar symptoms including weight loss, increased urination, diarrhoea and a weakened immune system, leaving them more likely to contract infectious diseases.

Horses may also exhibit frequent yawning as a sign of stress, as this will release endorphins, which helps them to combat stress.

How to protect livestock in cold weather

The basics of animal welfare needs (food, water and shelter) are even more important in cold weather. You must check on them regularly and always ensure they have an adequate supply of food and water.

Make sure water troughs are free of ice. If the pipes become frozen, you must have a plan in place to get a constant supply of water to livestock.

Animals normally kept outside must have access to shelter 24 hours a day. If there isn’t shelter on your usual land, you should move them to a more suitable place, or stable them permanently during the colder months. Make sure the shelter is leak and draught-proof and provide extra bedding.

Rubber matting provides plenty of benefits for cows and horses in wintery weather, as effective insulation against the cold concrete of the stable floor. Even with more hay; without stable mats, animals can still feel the cold chill when standing on concrete.

Rubber matting not only provides greater comfort for the animals, but it can also insulate the whole stable, including the walls.