Cold weather creates welfare challenges for outdoor livestock through energy demand, hypothermia risk, reduced water intake, and mud-related disease. Active cold weather management is essential.
Cold stress welfare in livestock is often underestimated because animals that are shivering or huddling are suffering even if they do not die. Neonatal cold stress is a leading cause of lamb and calf mortality in cold climates. Proactive management including windbreaks, bedding, neonatal monitoring, and water source management substantially reduces cold stress morbidity and mortality. These investments also improve production outcomes.