LEWIS, Iowa -- When temperatures plunge into the single digits
and the winds howl, people pile on the outerwear and look for
warm food and beverages to help ease the chill. Chris Clark,
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program
specialist, said it’s important to remember that although Iowa
cattle typically can tolerate winter conditions surprisingly
well, colder temperatures can mean higher nutrition needs for
cow herds. “Iowa cattle have thick skin, grow a thick winter
coat, and will be insulated by any fat cover they may carry.
They also have the rumen, a large fermentation vat in the
abdomen that produces heat during the digestion process,” Clark
said. “Even so, during times of extreme low temperatures, cows
can become cold enough to have a big impact on health and
production.” For each degree of cold stress below the animal’s
lower critical temperature (LCT), the animal requires about .7%
more energy just to maintain its body weight. The LCT is around
20 degrees for cattle with a heavy win