Your Cattle Need More Feed When It Gets Cold. Here's How Much.
During cold stress, cattle burn through energy at an accelerated rate. Feed gets converted to body heat just to maintain core temperature, and without adequate nutrition, cattle lose condition, become more susceptible to disease, and can die in severe cases. This guide covers how to adjust your feeding program for cold weather and calculate the additional nutrition your cattle need.
Cold Weather Energy Demands
The Thermoneutral Zone
Cattle have a "thermoneutral zone" (TNZ), which is the temperature range where they don't need to expend extra energy for temperature regulation.
Below the TNZ (called Lower Critical Temperature or LCT), cattle must generate additional heat by increasing their metabolic rate, burning body fat reserves, converting feed energy to heat, and shivering.
Energy Cost of Cold
For each degree Fahrenheit below LCT, energy requirements increase approximately 1%. This is cumulative and continuous.
As an example, if the actual temperature is -2°F and that's 20 degrees below the LCT, the herd needs 20% more energy than normal.
Calculating Additional Feed Needs
Basic Formula
``` Additional Feed = (Degrees Below LCT) × (0.01) × (Normal Daily Requirement) ```
Energy Increase Table
| Degrees Below LCT | Energy Increase Needed | Feed Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 5°F | 5% | 0.5-1 lb hay/day |
| 10°F | 10% | 1-2 lbs hay/day |
| 20°F | 20% | 2-4 lbs hay/day |
| 30°F | 30% | 3-6 lbs hay/day |
| 40°F | 40% | 4-8 lbs hay/day |
Practical Feed Requirements
| Conditions | Daily Hay (1,200 lb cow) |
|---|---|
| Mild weather (above LCT) | 24-26 lbs |
| 10°F below LCT | 27-29 lbs |
| 20°F below LCT | 29-32 lbs |
| 30°F below LCT | 32-35 lbs |
| Severe cold (40°F below) | 35-40 lbs |
Feed Type Considerations
Hay Quality in Winter
| Hay Type | TDN | Cold Weather Value |
|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa (good) | 58-62% | Excellent |
| Grass-legume mix | 55-58% | Very Good |
| Bermuda (good) | 52-55% | Good |
| Hay (poor quality) | 45-50% | Fair |
| Mature/weathered | 40-45% | Poor |
Hay vs. Grain for Cold Weather
| Feed Type | Heat Production | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Hay/forage | High | 4-12 hours after eating |
| Grain/concentrate | Moderate | 2-6 hours after eating |
Protein Considerations
Cold weather primarily increases energy needs, not protein. That said, adequate protein is necessary for rumen function, and low protein limits forage digestibility. Maintain a minimum of 7-8% crude protein in the diet.
Feeding Management Strategies
Timing Matters
You want cattle entering the night with a full rumen. That internal heat production from digestion helps maintain body temperature through the coldest hours. A good rule of thumb: provide about 40% of the daily ration in the morning and 60% in the evening.
Anticipating Cold
Feed cattle before cold arrives, not after.
| Situation | When to Increase Feed |
|---|---|
| Cold front arriving | 24-48 hours ahead |
| Extended cold forecast | Begin increase before onset |
| After cold (recovery) | Continue 2-3 days post-event |
Feed Access and Competition
Dominant animals will take more than their share, and weaker animals get pushed out. Consider multiple feeding locations and more frequent feedings if bunk space is limited. For ground feeding, allow 4-5 feet per head. For bunk feeding, allow 18-24 inches per head.
Supplementation Options
Energy Supplements
| Supplement | Energy Value | Typical Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Corn | High (90% TDN) | 2-5 lbs/head/day |
| Barley | High (84% TDN) | 2-5 lbs/head/day |
| Distillers grains | High (85% TDN) | 2-4 lbs/head/day |
| Soyhulls | Good (77% TDN) | 3-6 lbs/head/day |
| Wheat midds | Good (75% TDN) | 3-5 lbs/head/day |
Liquid Supplements
Liquid supplements are easy to deliver in cold weather, though they may freeze at very low temperatures. A typical rate is 1-2 lbs/head/day. They won't replace hay, but they do add energy to the overall ration.
Protein Tubs/Blocks
Tubs and blocks stay available even during storms and help support forage digestion. Keep in mind they're a supplement, not a primary cold-weather solution. They work best as a complement to adequate hay.
Water: The Critical Nutrient
Cold Weather Water Needs
Water intake directly affects feed intake. Cattle that don't drink enough won't eat enough. They'll need more water when eating dry hay, and they strongly prefer warm water (40-50°F) over ice-cold.
Impact of Water Temperature
Research shows cattle drink 40-50% more water when it's 40°F compared to near-freezing.
| Water Temperature | Relative Intake |
|---|---|
| 40-50°F | 100% (optimal) |
| 32-39°F | 80-90% |
| At freezing/ice | 60-70% |
Maintaining Water Access
- Check waterers minimum 2x daily
- Use tank heaters or heated waterers
- Insulate supply lines
- Have backup water sources
- Chop ice if heaters fail
Body Condition as a Buffer
The Role of Body Fat
Body condition score (BCS) represents stored energy. Cattle carrying more condition can handle cold stress better because they have fat reserves to burn.
| BCS at Winter Start | Cold Tolerance |
|---|---|
| 4 or below | Very low, supplement immediately |
| 5 | Adequate if short-term cold |
| 6 | Good buffer for moderate cold |
| 7+ | Excellent cold tolerance |
Managing BCS Through Winter
Monitoring Body Condition
- Check BCS monthly through winter
- Adjust feed if cattle losing condition too fast
- Prioritize thin cattle for supplementation
- Separate thin cows for additional feeding if possible
Feeding Different Classes
Late-Gestation Cows
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Fetal growth | High energy demand |
| Colostrum production | Protein and energy |
| Maintaining body condition | Birth weight support |
| Cold stress | Additional on top |
First-Calf Heifers
These animals are still growing while pregnant, which means they need 15-20% more than mature cows, higher quality hay, and priority supplementation.
Lactating Cows
If you're winter calving, milk production adds 25-35% to energy needs. Combine that with cold stress and the demand becomes very high. Give these cows the best hay and consider grain supplementation.
Bulls
Large body size helps with cold tolerance, but don't neglect their nutrition. Maintain condition for breeding season recovery, and watch for scrotum frost damage in severe cold.
Emergency Feeding Situations
When Feed Supply Runs Low
If you're running short on feed, substitute with alternative feeds if available, cull non-essential animals, contact feed suppliers for alternatives, and seek emergency hay sources.
Alternative Feeds in Emergency
| Alternative | Notes |
|---|---|
| Corn stalks | Low energy, need supplement |
| Wheat straw | Very low, emergency only |
| Cotton burrs | Low-moderate energy |
| Citrus pulp | Good energy if available |
| Bakery waste | Check availability locally |
| Vegetable waste | Variable, check quality |
Cost Management
Feeding Cost Comparison
| Approach | Relative Cost | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Buy more hay in advance | Lower | High |
| Emergency hay purchases | Higher | Necessary |
| Energy supplements | Moderate | Very high per lb |
| Let cattle lose condition | Appears cheap | Expensive long-term |
True Cost of Underfeeding
Underfeeding during cold stress carries real costs: weaker calves, higher calf death loss, reduced milk production, increased disease susceptibility, and death loss in severe cases. The cheapest feed is the feed you bought ahead of time.
Quick Reference: Cold Weather Feeding
Daily Feed Increase Guide
| Temperature vs. LCT | Additional Hay | Or Grain Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| At LCT | Normal ration | None |
| 10°F below | +2 lbs | +0.5 lb |
| 20°F below | +4 lbs | +1 lb |
| 30°F below | +6 lbs | +1.5 lbs |
| 40°F below | +8 lbs | +2 lbs |
Emergency Checklist
- Adequate hay supply for 2-week severe cold
- Energy supplements on hand
- Water heating systems tested
- Feed deliveries scheduled in advance
- Alternative feed sources identified
- Cattle BCS assessed before winter
Related Resources
- Cold Stress Thresholds
- Wind Chill Effects
- Shelter and Windbreaks
- Body Condition Scoring Guide
- Winter Water Management
Sources
- National Research Council. "Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle." 8th ed., 2016.
- Ames, D.R. "Cold Weather Management of Cattle." Great Plains Beef Cattle Handbook.
- Kansas State University. "Feeding Beef Cows in Cold Weather." MF2036.
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "Winter Feeding Strategies." NebGuide G1947.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. "Feeding Beef Cattle During Drought and Other Emergencies." B-5028.
- Oklahoma State University. "Winter Feeding Programs for Beef Cattle." ANSI-3010.
Last Updated: January 2026
