Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare During Extreme Cold Weather

Beef and dairy cattle face welfare challenges during prolonged cold weather events, with housing, nutrition, and monitoring requirements increasing significantly.

Key Facts

Cattle have a lower critical temperature around -15C but calves are far more vulnerable
Wind chill significantly increases cold stress even at milder temperatures
Energy requirements increase up to 30% in cold weather to maintain body temperature
Newborn calves can die from hypothermia within hours of birth in severe cold
Dry bedding is critical as wet conditions dramatically increase cold stress

Welfare Considerations

Prolonged cold stress affects cattle health, reproduction, and production while causing measurable suffering. Proactive management including shelter, increased feed, and monitoring of vulnerable animals is essential for welfare during winter.

What You Can Do

Ensure adequate winter housing and dry bedding for cattle herds
Increase energy supplementation during cold weather spells
Monitor newborn calves intensively for hypothermia in winter conditions