# Beef Cow Winter Feeding: Strategies for Cold Weather Nutrition ## Key Takeaways - Beef cows require approximately 1% more energy for every degree Fahrenheit below their lower critical temperature (LCT), which is around 32°F for a wet coat and 18°F for a dry winter coat; wind chill significantly lowers the effective temperature and increases energy demand. - Body Condition Score (BCS) at calving is a critical predictor of rebreeding success, with a target BCS of 5 (adequate fat cover over ribs and spine) being essential; thin cows (BCS 3-4) require increased energy intake to regain condition before calving. - Hay quality, determined by forage testing for crude protein (minimum 8-10% for grass hay) and total digestible nutrients (TDN), dictates ration formulation; low-protein hay impairs rumen function and reduces dry matter intake, necessitating protein supplementation. - Water is a critical, often overlooked nutrient; insufficient access to ice-free or warm water reduces feed intake, directly impacting energy balance and overall herd performance. - Proactive ration adjustment 24-48 hours before severe cold fronts, rather than reactive feeding during the event, is crucial for cows to build gut fill and rumen heat, mitigating cold stress. - Hay waste can be reduced by 20-40% through the use of appropriate feeders (e.g., cone-style, sheathed) and can be further minimized by grinding hay or utilizing bale grazing on frozen ground. --- Winter feeding is the single largest cost center on most cow-calf operations, and it is also the period when nutritional mistakes show up as lost body condition, weak calves, and open cows next spring. This guide explains how to match beef cow winter feeding to the actual energy demands of your herd, how to manage hay feeding to reduce waste, and how to adjust rations when cold weather pushes requirements upward. It is written for commercial cow-calf producers, backgrounders, and anyone who manages beef cows through a northern or high-elevation winter. ## At a Glance - Beef cows need roughly 1 percent more energy for every degree Fahrenheit below their lower critical temperature, which is about 32°F for a cow in good winter coat and 18°F for a cow with a heavy, dry coat. - A dry, pregnant cow in mid-gestation needs about 22 to 26 pounds of average-quality grass hay per day depending on her weight. That number climbs in cold weather. - Hay waste can run 20 to 40 percent when cows are fed on the ground without a feeder. A simple hay ring or bale feeder cuts that waste dramatically. - Body condition score at calving is the best single predictor of rebreeding success. Cows should calve at a body condition score of 5, meaning they have adequate fat cover over the ribs and spine. - Water is the most overlooked nutrient in winter. Cows will not eat enough to meet energy needs if they cannot drink warm or at least ice-free water. - Adjust rations before the storm arrives, not after. Check the forecast and raise energy intake 24 to 48 hours ahead of a severe cold front. - Protein and energy are different needs. Poor-quality hay may need a protein supplement even when cows appear to have plenty of forage in front of them. - Watch manure consistency and cow behavior daily. Both are early warning signs that the ration is not meeting needs. ## Understanding Cold Stress and Energy Demands in Winter Feeding Beef Cows A beef cow is a ruminant with a furnace in her rumen. Fermentation of forage generates heat, and a healthy cow can tolerate remarkable cold if she is dry, has a good winter coat, and has access to enough feed. But winter feeding beef cows requires understanding that cold weather changes the mathematics of maintenance. The lower critical temperature is the point at which a cow must burn extra energy to stay warm. Below that temperature, every degree of cold increases the energy requirement. For a cow with a summer coat or a wet coat, the lower critical temperature is about 32°F. For a cow with a heavy, dry winter coat, it drops to about 18°F. Once temperatures fall below the lower critical temperature, energy needs rise roughly 1 percent for each degree of cold. This matters in practical terms. Consider a 1,300-pound dry, pregnant cow in mid-gestation. On a mild winter day at 30°F, she might need about 16 to 18 pounds of total digestible nutrients per day. If the temperature drops to 0°F and she has a good winter coat, her energy requirement increases by roughly 18 to 20 percent. If she is wet, the increase is far more severe because water pulls heat away from the body about 25 times faster than air. Wind compounds the problem. A 20 mph wind at 10°F creates a wind chill equivalent to about minus 20°F for a wet animal. Cows will seek shelter, pile up in corners, and reduce their grazing or eating time if they are uncomfortable. You should watch wind speed as closely as temperature when deciding whether to increase the ration. The stage of production matters as much as the weather. A dry, pregnant cow in mid-gestation has the lowest energy requirement of her production cycle. A lactating cow in the first three months after calving has the highest requirement, often 50 percent more energy than the same cow when dry. A cow that is thin entering winter needs extra energy just to regain condition before calving. You cannot feed all cows the same ration and expect good results. Cold weather nutrition is not just about energy. Cows also need adequate protein to maintain rumen function. The rumen microbes that digest fiber require a minimum level of protein in the diet, typically 7 to 8 percent crude protein in the total ration. If hay tests below that level, the cow will eat less, digest less, and lose condition even if you offer unlimited forage. This is why a hay test is the first step in any winter feeding plan. ## Hay Testing and Ration Building for Beef Cow Hay Feeding in Winter You cannot build a sound winter ration without knowing what is in your hay. Beef cow hay feeding in winter is a guessing game if you do not test each cutting and each field separately. Hay varies enormously in energy and protein depending on the forage species, the stage of maturity at cutting, the fertility of the soil, and the weather during curing. Take hay samples with a core probe, not by grabbing a handful from a bale. A core probe pulls a sample from the center of the bale and gives a representative picture of the entire bale. Sample at least 10 to 12 bales from each lot and combine those cores into one composite sample for testing. Send the sample to a certified forage testing laboratory. Most state extension services can direct you to an approved lab. The two numbers that matter most for winter feeding are crude protein and energy. Energy is expressed as total digestible nutrients, net energy for maintenance, or relative feed value. For practical ration building, total digestible nutrients is the easiest number to work with. A good grass hay will test 52 to 58 percent total digestible nutrients and 8 to 12 percent crude protein. A legume hay like alfalfa will test higher in both, often 58 to 62 percent total digestible nutrients and 15 to 20 percent crude protein. A mature, stemmy grass hay cut late may test below 48 percent total digestible nutrients and below 6 percent crude protein. Once you have the test results, you can build a ration. A dry, pregnant cow in mid-gestation needs about 1.8 to 2.0 percent of her body weight in dry matter per day. A 1,300-pound cow therefore needs about 26 pounds of dry matter. If your hay is 90 percent dry matter, that is about 29 pounds of as-fed hay per day. The energy requirement for that same cow is roughly 11 to 12 pounds of total digestible nutrients per day in mild winter weather. If your hay tests 52 percent total digestible nutrients, she needs about 22 pounds of dry matter from that hay to meet her energy need. If your hay tests 48 percent total digestible nutrients, she needs closer to 25 pounds of dry matter, and she may not be able to eat enough to meet her needs if the hay is also low in protein. This is where protein supplementation enters the picture. A cow can only eat so much dry matter in a day, typically 2.2 to 2.5 percent of her body weight when forage quality is adequate. If her hay is low in protein, rumen function slows, intake drops, and she loses condition even though hay is available. Supplementing 1 to 2 pounds of a 30 to 40 percent protein supplement, such as dried distillers grains, soybean meal, or a commercial range cube, can improve digestion of poor hay enough that the cow eats more and extracts more energy from what she consumes. Work with your local extension agent or a livestock nutritionist to build a ration from your hay test results. Many extension services offer free or low-cost ration balancing software. You need to know your hay quality, your cow weights, and your expected calving dates to build an accurate ration. ## Step-by-Step Guide to Winter Feeding Beef Cows A successful winter feeding program runs on a schedule and a system, not on daily improvisation. Follow these steps to build a program that keeps cows in condition and holds feed costs in line. ### Step 1: Assess Body Condition Before Winter Arrives [Body condition scoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/farm-management/body-condition-scoring-a-tool-for-feed-management) is the backbone of winter feeding management. The scale runs from 1 to 9, with 1 being emaciated and 9 being extremely fat. A body condition score of 5 means the cow has adequate fat cover. You can feel the ribs easily but cannot see them clearly. The spine is rounded, and the tailhead has some fat cover. Sort cows by body condition score in the fall, before winter feeding begins. Thin cows at a body condition score of 3 or 4 need extra energy through the winter to reach a score of 5 by calving. Fat cows at a score of 6 or 7 can be fed a maintenance ration and will calve in good shape. First-calf heifers and young cows still growing need special treatment because they are maintaining themselves and growing at the same time. A cow that calves at a body condition score of 4 will have a longer interval to her first heat after calving, and she will be less likely to breed back on schedule. A cow that calves at a score of 3 may not breed back at all within a reasonable breeding season. The cost of putting condition on a thin cow in the fall is almost always less than the cost of a late calf or an open cow next year. ### Step 2: Test Your Hay and Inventory Your Feed Supply Run a forage test on each lot of hay before winter feeding starts. Calculate how many tons of hay you have and how many days of feed that represents. A good planning number is 30 to 35 pounds of hay per cow per day when you include waste. For a 100-cow herd fed for 150 days, that is 225 to 260 tons of hay. Do not assume that last year's hay test applies to this year's crop. Weather during the growing season, cutting dates, and curing conditions all change hay quality. Test every lot and feed the lowest-quality hay to dry, pregnant cows in early winter. Save the best hay for the coldest weather, for lactating cows, and for thin cows that need extra energy. ### Step 3: Provide Shelter and Wind Protection Cows can tolerate cold remarkably well if they are dry and out of the wind. A tree line, a windbreak fence, or a three-sided shed can reduce the energy cost of cold weather significantly. The goal is not to keep cows warm in the way a person expects warmth. The goal is to keep them dry and block the wind so they do not have to burn extra energy to stay warm. If you feed in an open area, set up hay feeders on the lee side of a windbreak. Rotate feeding areas to spread manure and reduce mud. Mud is a hidden energy drain. Cows standing in mud lose body heat faster than cows standing on dry ground, and they spend energy pulling their feet out of the mud with every step. ### Step 4: Build a Feeding Schedule and Stick to It Cows are creatures of habit. Feeding at the same time every day reduces stress and lets you observe the herd during a quiet, predictable period. Most producers feed once per day, either in the morning or in the late afternoon. Feeding in the afternoon has a small advantage in cold weather because the heat of digestion peaks during the coldest part of the night. Whatever schedule you choose, be consistent. Cows that are fed late become restless, walk fences, and burn energy they should be using for maintenance. If you cannot feed at the same time every day because of work or weather, consider using a self-feeder or a bale processor that lets you put out several days of feed at once. ### Step 5: Match Feed Amounts to Weather Conditions Base your daily feed amount on the average expected conditions for the week, then adjust for severe cold fronts. When the forecast calls for temperatures below the lower critical temperature, increase the ration by the appropriate percentage. A practical rule is to increase hay by 10 to 15 percent when temperatures drop below 15°F and by 20 to 25 percent when temperatures drop below 0°F with wind. Do not wait until the storm arrives. Increase feed 24 to 48 hours before a severe cold front so the cow has gut fill and rumen heat when the worst weather hits. A cow cannot instantly convert a larger meal into body heat. She needs time to digest the extra feed. ### Step 6: Provide Continuous Access to Water Water is the most overlooked nutrient in winter feeding beef cows. A cow needs 8 to 12 gallons of water per day in winter, and she will drink more if the water is warm. Cows that cannot get enough water will reduce feed intake, and reduced feed intake means reduced energy intake at exactly the time they need more energy. Check waterers daily in cold weather. Heated waterers can freeze, lines can break, and tanks can ice over. Break ice at least twice daily if you are using open tanks. Consider installing a heated stock tank or a tank heater to keep water ice-free. The cost of electricity is far less than the cost of lost performance from dehydrated cows. ### Step 7: Monitor Body Condition Monthly [Body condition scoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/farm-management/body-condition-scoring-a-tool-for-feed-management) is not a one-time fall activity. Score the cows monthly through the winter and adjust the ration as needed. If cows are losing condition faster than expected, increase feed or improve hay quality. If cows are holding condition well, you may be feeding more than necessary and can trim the ration to save money. Keep records of body condition scores by cow or by group. This lets you see trends and make decisions based on data rather than memory. A cow that loses one full body condition score between November and January is in trouble and needs immediate attention. ## Managing Hay Feeding to Reduce Waste Hay is the most expensive feed on most operations, and waste is the most preventable loss. Beef cow hay feeding in winter can waste 20 to 40 percent of the hay you put out if you feed on the ground without restraints. That is the equivalent of throwing away one bale out of every three or four. The single most effective waste-reduction tool is a hay feeder. A well-designed hay ring or bale feeder can cut waste to 5 to 15 percent. The type of feeder matters. Cone-style feeders and sheathed feeders with solid sides reduce waste more than open rings because they keep hay contained and reduce the amount of hay that falls to the ground. Bale processors and grinders offer another option. Grinding hay before feeding reduces waste because cows cannot pull large flakes out of the bale and drag them into the mud. Ground hay also mixes well with supplements, which lets you deliver protein and minerals more precisely. The downside is the cost of the equipment and the fuel to run it. Feeding frequency affects waste. Cows fed every other day tend to waste more because they eat aggressively when fresh hay arrives and pull more hay out of the feeder than they can eat. Feeding smaller amounts daily reduces waste and keeps the ration more consistent. Placement of feeders matters. Put feeders on well-drained ground or on a concrete pad. Mud and manure contaminate hay that falls to the ground, and cows will not eat contaminated hay. Move feeders occasionally to spread manure and reduce the buildup of mud around the feeding area. Consider using a bale grazing system where you place bales in the field and let cows eat them in place. This works well on dry ground or snow cover. The cows waste some hay, but the manure and leftover hay are distributed across the field, returning nutrients to the soil. Bale grazing works best when you have enough land to rotate the feeding area and when the ground is frozen or covered with snow so cows do not churn the soil into mud. ## Supplementation Strategies for Cold Weather Cattle Nutrition Cold weather cattle nutrition often requires more than hay alone. Even good-quality hay may not meet the energy needs of a cow during a severe cold snap, and poor-quality hay may not meet her protein needs at any time. Energy supplementation is the first priority in extreme cold. Options include grain, byproduct feeds, and high-quality forage. Corn is a dense energy source, but it must be introduced gradually to avoid digestive upset. A sudden introduction of grain can cause acidosis, founder, or even death. Start with 1 to 2 pounds per cow per day and increase gradually over a week or more. Dried distillers grains are a popular supplement because they provide both energy and protein. They are the byproduct of ethanol production and are widely available in the Corn Belt. Distillers grains can be fed at 2 to 4 pounds per cow per day as a supplement to average-quality hay. They are highly palatable and mix well with other feeds. Commercial range cubes or protein blocks are convenient because they require no equipment and are easy to distribute. They are more expensive per pound of nutrient than bulk supplements, but the convenience may be worth the cost on small operations or when labor is limited. Protein supplementation is different from energy supplementation. If your hay tests below 8 percent crude protein, the rumen microbes cannot work efficiently and the cow cannot digest enough fiber to meet her energy needs. Adding 1 to 2 pounds of a high-protein supplement, such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, or a commercial protein block, can improve digestion of the hay and increase the energy the cow extracts from it. Minerals and vitamins are also part of the winter ration. Provide a loose mineral formulated for beef cows free choice. In winter, pay attention to magnesium and phosphorus levels. Grass tetany, caused by low blood magnesium, can occur in [cattle grazing](/knowledge/animal-farming/beef-cattle/cattle-grazing-systems-rotational-vs-continuous) lush winter pasture, and it can be prevented with a high-magnesium mineral. Phosphorus is important for appetite and feed efficiency. Your extension agent can help you select a mineral that matches your forage test results. Do not forget salt. Salt stimulates water intake, and water intake is essential for feed intake. Provide salt free choice, either in the mineral mix or separately. In very cold weather, cows may reduce water intake if the water is cold, and this can reduce feed intake. Keeping water warm and palatable is one of the best things you can do to support feed intake in winter. ## Common Mistakes in Winter Feeding Beef Cows Even experienced producers make predictable mistakes when winter feeding beef cows. Recognizing these errors can save you money and protect your herd. The first mistake is feeding all cows the same ration. A first-calf heifer, a thin older cow, and a fat mature cow have different energy needs. Sorting cows by body condition and stage of production lets you feed each group appropriately. The thin cows get the best hay and possibly a supplement. The fat cows get a maintenance ration. This targeted approach costs no more overall and produces better results. The second mistake is ignoring hay quality. Producers who feed hay without testing are guessing, and guessing is expensive. Low-quality hay that tests below 7 percent crude protein will cause cows to lose condition even when they have unlimited access. The cost of a hay test is small compared to the cost of thin cows, weak calves, and open cows next spring. The third mistake is failing to adjust for cold weather. Many producers set a feeding rate in November and feed the same amount all winter. When a cold snap hits, the cows burn more energy to stay warm, and if the ration does not increase, they lose condition. Check the forecast and adjust feed accordingly. The fourth mistake is neglecting water. Frozen waterers, ice-covered tanks, and broken heaters all reduce water intake, and reduced water intake reduces feed intake. Check water daily and fix problems immediately. A cow that cannot drink will not eat, and a cow that does not eat will lose condition. The fifth mistake is feeding on the ground without a feeder. The waste is unacceptable, and the mud created by feeding on the ground is a health hazard. Use feeders, grind hay, or bale graze on frozen ground to reduce waste and keep cows cleaner. The sixth mistake is waiting too long to address thin cows. A cow that is thin at calving will be slow to breed back, and a cow that is very thin may not breed at all. Address body condition problems in the fall, not in February. Once a cow loses condition, it takes time and feed to put it back on. The seventh mistake is ignoring the forecast. Winter storms are predictable. The National Weather Service provides forecasts that give you 24 to 48 hours of warning before a severe cold front. Use that time to increase feed, check waterers, and make sure windbreaks are in place. A little preparation before a storm is worth more than a lot of reaction after it. ## Decision Thresholds for Adjusting Winter Rations Knowing when to adjust the ration is as important as knowing how. Use these decision thresholds as a practical guide. When the temperature is above the lower critical temperature, which is about 32°F for a wet cow or a cow with a summer coat and about 18°F for a cow with a heavy dry coat, feed the maintenance ration based on your hay test and cow weights. When the temperature drops below the lower critical temperature, increase energy by 1 percent for each degree of cold. For a 10-degree drop below the lower critical temperature, increase energy by 10 percent. For a 20-degree drop, increase by 20 percent. This is a practical rule, and individual cows may need more or less depending on their condition, coat quality, and exposure to wind. When wind chill is a factor, use the wind chill temperature rather than the actual temperature to determine the degree of cold. A 10°F day with a 20 mph wind has a wind chill of about minus 20°F, and the energy requirement increases accordingly. When the forecast calls for a severe cold front within 24 to 48 hours, increase the ration before the front arrives. This gives the cow time to build gut fill and rumen heat. Do not wait until the storm is on top of you. When cows are losing body condition faster than expected, increase feed immediately. Do not wait for the monthly body condition check. If cows look thinner, they are thinner, and the ration needs to change. When cows are holding condition well and the weather is mild, consider reducing the ration slightly to save money. The goal is to maintain a body condition score of 5 at calving, not to overfeed cows through a mild winter. When hay quality is poor, below about 8 percent crude protein, add a protein supplement even if the weather is mild. The protein is needed for rumen function, not just for the cow's direct nutrition. ## Monitoring and Recordkeeping for Winter Feeding A winter feeding program is a management system, and a management system requires records. Keep a simple feeding diary that tracks the date, the weather, the amount and type of feed offered, the number of cows in each group, and any observations about cow behavior or condition. Weigh or estimate the weight of each bale you feed. Bales vary in weight depending on the baler settings, the moisture content, and the forage species. If you assume all bales weigh the same, you will misjudge how much feed you are actually delivering. A set of bale scales or a loader with scales is a worthwhile investment for any operation feeding more than a few bales per day. Track hay inventory carefully. Count bales at the start of winter and count again at intervals through the season. If you are using hay faster than planned, you need to know early so you can adjust the ration, buy hay, or reduce waste. Record body condition scores monthly by group. This gives you a trend line that shows whether your feeding program is working. If the trend is downward, adjust the ration. If the trend is stable, your program is on track. Record calving dates and rebreeding rates. The ultimate measure of a winter feeding program is the number of cows that calve and breed back on schedule. A cow that calves at a body condition score of 5 and receives adequate nutrition after calving will usually breed back within 80 to 90 days. If your rebreeding rates are poor, review your winter feeding records to find the cause. Monitor manure consistency as a daily indicator of rumen function. Normal cow manure is a pile that holds its shape but flattens slightly. Manure that is very loose and runny may indicate too much protein or grain in the ration. Manure that is very dry and hard may indicate inadequate water intake or low-quality forage. Manure with undigested fiber particles may indicate poor hay quality or inadequate protein for rumen function. Watch cow behavior. Cows that are comfortable will lie down and ruminate for several hours per day. Cows that are cold will stand, huddle, or pace. Cows that are hungry will bellow and crowd the feed area. These behavioral signs are early warnings that the ration is not meeting needs. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Most winter feeding problems are nutritional and can be corrected with ration adjustments. Some situations require professional help. Call your veterinarian if cows are losing condition rapidly despite adequate feed, if cows are down and cannot rise, if you see signs of disease such as coughing, nasal discharge, or diarrhea, or if a cow is having difficulty calving. Cold weather stress can suppress the immune system, and sick cows need prompt attention. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect a metabolic disease such as pregnancy toxemia, which can occur in very fat cows or in cows that go off feed in late pregnancy, or if you suspect grain overload from a cow that broke into the feed shed. Both conditions are emergencies. Call your extension agent if you need help interpreting a hay test, building a ration, or selecting a supplement. Extension agents have access to ration balancing tools and can provide unbiased advice on feed purchasing decisions. They can also help you evaluate new feeding technologies or management practices. Call your extension agent if you are considering a major change to your feeding system, such as switching to bale grazing, adding a bale processor, or implementing a total mixed ration feeding program. A professional review of your plan can prevent costly mistakes. Call your veterinarian or extension agent if you have questions about the health of your herd that you cannot answer from your own experience. It is always better to ask a question than to guess and learn from a costly mistake. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much hay does a beef cow need per day in winter? A dry, pregnant 1,300-pound cow needs about 26 pounds of dry matter per day, which is roughly 29 pounds of average grass hay as fed. That amount increases in cold weather. When temperatures drop below the lower critical temperature, plan to increase hay by 1 percent for each degree of cold. A cow in a severe cold snap may need 35 to 40 pounds of hay per day. ### Can I feed beef cows every other day to save labor? You can feed every other day, but expect more waste and less precise ration control. Cows fed every other day tend to eat aggressively when fresh hay arrives and pull more hay out of the feeder than they can eat. Feeding smaller amounts daily reduces waste and keeps the ration more consistent. If labor is a constraint, consider using a bale processor or a self-feeder that lets you put out several days of feed at once. ### What is the best way to feed hay to beef cows in winter? The best method is one that minimizes waste and keeps cows clean. A well-designed hay feeder, such as a cone-style or sheathed feeder, can reduce waste to 5 to 15 percent compared to 20 to 40 percent for ground feeding. Place feeders on well-drained ground or concrete and move them occasionally to reduce mud. Bale grazing on frozen ground is another option that returns nutrients to the soil. ### How cold is too cold for beef cows? Beef cows can tolerate very cold temperatures if they are dry, have a good winter coat, and have access to adequate feed and water. The lower critical temperature is about 32°F for a cow with a summer coat or a wet coat and about 18°F for a cow with a heavy dry coat. Below those temperatures, energy requirements increase by about 1 percent per degree of cold. Wind and moisture increase the effective cold dramatically. ### Do beef cows need grain in the winter? Most beef cows do not need grain if they have good-quality hay. Grain is an energy supplement that becomes necessary when hay quality is poor, when cows are thin, or during severe cold weather. If you feed grain, introduce it gradually to avoid digestive upset. Dried distillers grains are a popular option because they provide both energy and protein. ### How do I know if my cows are too thin? Use body condition scoring. The scale runs from 1 to 9, with 5 being ideal for a cow at calving. You should be able to feel the ribs easily but not see them clearly. If the ribs are visible, the spine is sharp, and the tailhead is sunken, the cow is likely at a body condition score of 3 or 4 and needs more energy in her ration. ### What protein level should my hay have for winter feeding beef cows? Grass hay for winter feeding should test at least 8 to 10 percent crude protein. If hay tests below 8 percent, rumen function will be impaired and cows will not digest the hay efficiently. You can supplement low-protein hay with 1 to 2 pounds per cow per day of a high-protein feed such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, or dried distillers grains. ### How much water do beef cows need in winter? A beef cow needs 8 to 12 gallons of water per day in winter. Water intake drives feed intake, so cows that cannot get enough water will not eat enough to meet their energy needs. Check waterers daily, break ice on open tanks at least twice daily, and consider using heated waterers or tank heaters to keep water ice-free. ## Related Farming Guides This section will be populated with links to related farming guides on beef cattle management, winter feeding systems, and herd health planning. Check back for additional resources on calving management, pasture and forage production, and cattle nutrition. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Cattle Head Gate Selection and Adjustment](/knowledge/animal-farming/beef-cattle/cattle-head-gate-selection-and-adjustment) * [Beef Cattle Handling Facility Flow](/knowledge/animal-farming/beef-cattle/beef-cattle-handling-facility-flow) * [Beef Cattle Maternity Pen Design: Comfort and Monitoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/beef-cattle/beef-cattle-maternity-pen-design-comfort-monitoring) ## References - Beef Cattle Research Council: https://www.beefresearch.ca/ - USDA APHIS Cattle Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle - WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.