January: A cold snap check list

In Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, we don’t just get "cold"—we get "polar vortex" cold. When the mercury drops to -20°F and the wind starts howling across the fields, the margin for error with livestock health narrows significantly.

Whether you’re managing a commercial herd or a backyard homestead, surviving a North Woods cold snap requires a proactive shift in your daily routine. Here is how to keep your animals thriving when the frost bites deep.

1. Fuel the Internal Heater: Calories are Key

In sub-zero temperatures, livestock use the majority of their energy just to maintain their core body temperature. This is not the time to skimp on rations.

• Ruminants (Cattle, Sheep, Goats): Forage is their primary heat source. The fermentation process in the rumen generates significant internal heat. During a cold snap, provide free-choice, high-quality grass hay.

• Poultry and Swine: Increase grain intake. Corn is an excellent high-energy "hot" feed for birds and pigs during the evening to help them stay warm through the night.

• The 1% Rule: A general rule of thumb is to increase the energy (TDN) of the ration by 1% for every degree the wind chill drops below the animal’s lower critical temperature.

2. The Liquid Gold: Hydration

Dehydration is the "silent killer" in winter. An animal that doesn't drink won't eat, and an animal that doesn't eat can't stay warm.

• Check the Ice: Don’t assume a heater is working. Check tanks twice daily.

• Ideal Temp: Studies show livestock prefer water between 40°F and 65°F. If the water is ice-cold, they will drink just enough to survive, rather than enough to thrive.

• Salt Matters: Ensure loose minerals or salt blocks are accessible to encourage water consumption.

3. Outsmart the Wind, Not the Air

In our region, the wind chill is often more dangerous than the ambient temperature. However, there is a fine balance between protection and ventilation.

• Windbreaks: A simple three-sided shed or even a well-placed stack of round-bales can reduce cold stress by 50% or more.

• Bedding: Deep bedding (the "deep litter" method) is essential. Straw is a great insulator compared to wood shavings because its hollow stems trap warm air-Hay is great as well is you have a bunch of it around. If an animal can "nestle" into the bedding, they are losing far less body heat to the frozen ground.

• Ventilation: Never seal a coop or barn tight. Moisture from breath and manure creates ammonia and humidity, which leads to frostbite and pneumonia. Keep the air moving above the animals, never directly on them.

4. Watch for "The Big Three"

Keep a close eye on your stock for these cold-weather red flags:

1. Shivering: A sign that the animal’s metabolic heat production is reaching its limit.

2. Frostbite: Check the tips of ears (calves/goats) and combs/wattles (poultry).

3. Lethargy: If an animal is reluctant to stand or move toward feed, they are likely suffering from cold stress or dehydration.