MANAGEMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE DURING WINTER

Pashu Sandesh, 06 November 2017

Compiled - DR RAJESH KR. SINGH, JAMSHEDPUR

In order to cope with colder temperatures, cattle grow thick winter coats and increase their production of body heat. They accomplish this by increasing their heart rate and respiration, thus increasing blood flow to keep extremities from freezing. Although this physiological response enables cows to withstand extremely low temperatures in relative comfort, they also require more feed in order to maintain their body and production. For this cows may require up to 20 percent more feed during cold weather.

Winter feeding tips
• Although it may be more comfortable for you, indoor feeding usually is not advisable. Ammonia concentrations in poorly ventilated buildings can be exorbitantly high, causing pneumonia and other breathing problems; high humidity will decrease the insulating capabilities of a cow’s coat. Outdoor feeding will be perfectly comfortable for your cow, and often much cleaner.
• High-moisture rations will likely be chilled in the feed bunks. If this occurs, intake will be reduced and more energy will be required to digest the feed.
• It is tempting to feed earlier and earlier as daylight decreases and evening temperatures drop, but your cow will be more comfortable if you delay feeding time in the cold. The activity involved in eating and the fermentation in the rumen will increase heat production during the evening.
• Livestock’s maintenance nutritional requirements can increase significantly during cold weather. Lowest critical environmental temperatures (LCT) for livestock vary according to species and researchers, but livestock can tolerate 20° or 32°F without additional energy demands. Energy requirements for an animal increase by one percent for every degree below the LCT.
 
All dietary changes, be they increases or decreases, should be made gradually.

GENERAL MANAGEMENTAL TIPS FOR DAIRY CATTLE DURING WINTER

• To protect animals from a sudden drop in temperature, keep the animals in a covered shed/area during the night.

• Blankets can be used to retain body heat for inpidual animals.

• Avoid keeping animals in a damp area, as well as protect them from smoke from fires which are lit to provide warmth. The dampness and smoke increases their chances of contracting pneumonia.
• Animals should be given lukewarm feed and water to drink.
• To maintain the body temperature of animals in milk, they should be fed with a mixture of oil cakes and jaggery.
• To ensure that essential salts are maintained in the animals, provide salt mixtures in adequate quantities along with their feed.
• This is the right time to deworm the animals.
• If the animals have not yet been vaccinated against FMD, PPR, Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, Enterotoxemia, Black Quarter etc, ensure that this is done now.

• The bedding/hay in the animal sheds must be kept dry and changed/aired every day.

• Take adequate care to prevent occurrence of Mastitis in animals.