Keeping the Dairy Going in Cold Weather

When the Snow Flies: Keeping the Dairy Going in Cold Weather

By Jaclyn Krymowski for American Dairymen

Winter weather presents several challenges to both the cows and how daily farm operations are conducted. Cold can bring just as much stress and damage as heat, and as with summer, the best way to avoid major issues is to be properly equipped heading into the season.

A good winter management plan keeps the basics in order even in extreme cold. This includes keeping housing dry and comfortable, eliminating excessive wind and moisture and having the right equipment and protocols in place for severe weather conditions.

On top of that, it should take into consideration how weather can affect animals differently, depending on age, body condition and nutritional needs. Keeping this in mind can help you enable your animals to regulate their own body temperatures in the face of wind, moisture and extreme cold.

What causes cold stress?

As a rule of thumb, most cattle breeds – especially those from Northern European, Asian and Swiss regions – can handle the cold easier than the heat as long as their basic needs and body condition are maintained properly.

Cattle experience environmental stress when their body temperature rises above or falls below their ideal temperature range (also known as the thermal neutral zone), typically 32°F to 77°F. In this zone, they regulate temperatures without excessive energy expenditure. This range is considered their maintenance energy requirements, and it fluctuates primarily by the time of year and their age.

Below the lower critical temperature, additional energy is required to maintain body temperature.

This is where providing proper nutrition will help to not only meet the maintenance energy requirements but additional needs as well.

In a 2025 bulletin from Penn State, Calf management tips for cold weather, authors Coleen M. Jones and Jud Heinrichs list several impacts that subjugate an animal to higher or lesser risks of cold stress, including age and size, body condition, hair coat quality, wind exposure, environmental wetness and humidity, and the conditions of bedding and housing in the facility.

Animals experiencing cold stress, even at a low level, will have increased energy and feed intake requirements as the body works harder to stay warm. When cold is severe or prolonged, it can also compromise immune function.

In newborn calves, research has shown that hypothermia delays and slows the absorption of antibodies from colostrum. According to Michigan State University Extension, calves stressed by cold may be unable to mount an effective immune response even when vaccinated.

Wintertime Nutrition and Feed Management

With increased maintenance requirements, body condition should be monitored on a routine basis, taking into account thin cows who may need additional nutritional support and housing to compensate. In general, higher energy rations are recommended for these more vulnerable cows.

As well, young calves have limited energy reserves and are particularly vulnerable to cold. Increase available energy when environmental conditions increase maintenance requirements. Keep in mind that, according to the University of Wisconsin bulletin Calves Get Stressed Too: What Dairy Farmers Need to Know, the general “comfort zone” for calves is 50-77°F. Below that they are at risk of getting stressed and having difficulty regulating their temperatures.

It is good to encourage early starter intake because rumen fermentation generates heat. Offer small amounts of calf starter early and maintain access to water to encourage starter consumption.

Staying ahead of changing energy needs, rather than reacting to weight loss or sick calves, greatly increases your odds of raising calves into healthier heifers in the spring. Keep in mind that calves with severe scours will need much more frequent bedding to keep dry as the moisture will wick away heat faster from their bodies.

Winterizing the Farm and Equipment

Keeping equipment and the rest of the farm running smoothly during winter should be approached with both maintenance and emergencies in mind. Basic maintenance should consider how to keep walkways, gates, doors and other traffic points as clear and free of moisture, snow and ice exposure as possible. Make sure you have the tools and materials in place to keep those plans up, such as ice melt, sand, snow plows and wind breaks.

And while you’re at it, consider how you can winterize your office and other shared spaces. This could include space heaters, boot dryers and extra outerwear accessible for whoever needs it.

When worst-case scenarios strike, you will want to do your best to keep a buffer on hand, several days of barebones essentials needed to run daily operations. This includes feed ingredients, bedding, fuel like propane and diesel, plus backup generators.

Also, remember to test generators before winter weather arrives. This is also a good time to inspect electrical systems and backup power sources.

On the equipment side, prepare tractors, loaders, feed equipment and other machinery for cold weather operation. As with other supplies, it is worthwhile to make sure you are stocked up on extra fluids, spare batteries, winterized tires, block heaters and anything else you might not be able to otherwise get in an emergency. When a major weather event strikes, these types of items can disappear from store shelves especially if you only have so many farm and equipment stores in your region. Having these already sitting in your garage or shop will afford some much needed peace of mind!

And finally, it’s helpful (especially if you have a larger team) to have a general plan for snow and ice removal. What are the areas that need the most urgent attention? What needs de-icing? What equipment will you be using for snow removal and where will excess snow be piled? Make sure everyone has a clear understanding about the safety and procedures for high traffic areas like feed bunks, alleys and anywhere else cattle are moved in winter conditions.

Successful winter management requires addressing many different pieces into one big picture. Proactive preparation before severe weather can reduce animal stress, production losses and disruptions to daily dairy operations.

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