A beef specialist with the University of Illinois Extension says cattle producers that saw only snow with this week’s winter storm averted a worst-case scenario.
Travis Meteer tells Brownfield, “If we have situations where fronts come through, and the first round is rain, and the cattle, their hair coat gets wet,” he says, “then they don’t have that insulation and that’s the situation that is hardest for cattle to cope with.”
As frigid temperatures settle in behind the storm, Meteer says cattle can handle extended cold periods better than temperatures that quickly fluctuate.
“Up and down and even humidity where cattle could get kinda wet or have a sweat to ‘em when temperatures come back up,” he says, “that can be a challenge in situations where the health of the cattle is compromised.”
Meteer says providing windbreaks, bedding, fresh water, and adequate feed are all critical for minimizing stress and ensuring the heath of cattle during cold weather.
