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How much cold can cattle tolerate?
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<blockquote data-quote="snake67" data-source="post: 1070544" data-attributes="member: 17764"><p>Well, if you can keep them out of the wind as much as possible, keep their bellies full and give them a good solid bush to get into when it snows - they can stand up to 50 below and more.</p><p></p><p>They need to be in decent shape before winter comes - that way they can eat and gain instead of eating to stay warm.</p><p></p><p>Coldest I ever kept cows was in Fairview Alberta in 1999 - it hit minus 54 degrees F on a no wind day and never got above minus 48 for about 12 days. Those cows would come up and sleep on the manure pile because it was warm.</p><p></p><p>We free choice them on round bales of first and second cut depending upon the weather conditions - and wet is more important to monitor than the cold.</p><p></p><p>We do not feed grain but we do feed the red dog from corn fines when we can get it - but I will not buy grain for them - waste of money if the hay is better than 10% in my opinion.</p><p></p><p>I know - and so do a whole bunch of others - that this is possible because I have seen it and done it.</p><p></p><p>Millions of cattle stay out in all sorts of weather.</p><p></p><p>Full belly, out of the wind and out of rain and snow - and you will have no probs.</p><p></p><p>Mine have never seen a barn or any other shelter other than what Mom Nature provides in the past 15 years or so unless sick or injured.</p><p></p><p>In your part of the world I would be surprised if you had any probs if you simply followed the above advice.</p><p></p><p>And when you drive down the road, look at the neighbours - and not the folks that keep Bessy, Bossy and Flower in the lap of luxury at any cost - look at the commercial guys. If their cattle are out then yours can be as well. You will notice that they are for the most part - out all year round.</p><p></p><p>Just keep the water thawed unless you have older girls and lots of snow - because they can eat snow - yeah it is not as efficient as water, but the old girls will get lazy and not bother to come up for a drink for several days at our place or even as long as a week or more - however the youngsters drink daily - seems that around here, they stay on water until about two to three years of age and then gradually move to eating snow and only drinking every few days.</p><p></p><p>If your cows cannot do this then they are not worth owning and you need to buy better stock. Not saying yours cannot do this, but it is important to note that not all cows are created equal - cull the SOB's hard and you will be a happy camper in later years. I do not care how much you or the family loves her or how good a mother she is - if she needs extra TLC - that means money and time and effort - not so bad when you are starting out because you are interested and do grow attached to them - but they are a crop - you can grow a good one or a bad one. Up to you. </p><p></p><p>As you age you have less patience and less cash to spend - make those cows work for you my friend!</p><p></p><p>Best to you</p><p></p><p>Bez</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="snake67, post: 1070544, member: 17764"] Well, if you can keep them out of the wind as much as possible, keep their bellies full and give them a good solid bush to get into when it snows - they can stand up to 50 below and more. They need to be in decent shape before winter comes - that way they can eat and gain instead of eating to stay warm. Coldest I ever kept cows was in Fairview Alberta in 1999 - it hit minus 54 degrees F on a no wind day and never got above minus 48 for about 12 days. Those cows would come up and sleep on the manure pile because it was warm. We free choice them on round bales of first and second cut depending upon the weather conditions - and wet is more important to monitor than the cold. We do not feed grain but we do feed the red dog from corn fines when we can get it - but I will not buy grain for them - waste of money if the hay is better than 10% in my opinion. I know - and so do a whole bunch of others - that this is possible because I have seen it and done it. Millions of cattle stay out in all sorts of weather. Full belly, out of the wind and out of rain and snow - and you will have no probs. Mine have never seen a barn or any other shelter other than what Mom Nature provides in the past 15 years or so unless sick or injured. In your part of the world I would be surprised if you had any probs if you simply followed the above advice. And when you drive down the road, look at the neighbours - and not the folks that keep Bessy, Bossy and Flower in the lap of luxury at any cost - look at the commercial guys. If their cattle are out then yours can be as well. You will notice that they are for the most part - out all year round. Just keep the water thawed unless you have older girls and lots of snow - because they can eat snow - yeah it is not as efficient as water, but the old girls will get lazy and not bother to come up for a drink for several days at our place or even as long as a week or more - however the youngsters drink daily - seems that around here, they stay on water until about two to three years of age and then gradually move to eating snow and only drinking every few days. If your cows cannot do this then they are not worth owning and you need to buy better stock. Not saying yours cannot do this, but it is important to note that not all cows are created equal - cull the SOB's hard and you will be a happy camper in later years. I do not care how much you or the family loves her or how good a mother she is - if she needs extra TLC - that means money and time and effort - not so bad when you are starting out because you are interested and do grow attached to them - but they are a crop - you can grow a good one or a bad one. Up to you. As you age you have less patience and less cash to spend - make those cows work for you my friend! Best to you Bez [/QUOTE]
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