“ The pessimist complains about the wind ; the optimist expects it to change ; the realist adjusts the sails .” – William Arthur Ward

For cattle producers , it may be time to adjust the sails , especially if located in states impacted by winter ’ s extreme cold and blowing snow . Let ’ s face it , zero degrees is cold , but throw in gusty winds and the “ feels like ” temperature drops to dangerous levels for both people and animals .

Even with thick winter hair coats , cattle can begin to experience cold stress when temperatures drop below 18 ° F . Windbreaks can be a useful tool to combat negative wind effects while positively impacting animal well-being . Three primary benefits of windbreaks are reduced stress , improved animal health and increased feed efficiency . Reduced Stress

Warm-blooded animals must maintain their internal body temperature within a comfort zone , otherwise they expend energy to keep warm . Livestock performance is impacted by the combination of wind and temperature ; however , wind alone can have the same effect on animals as exposure to a sudden drop in temperature . A 20-mph wind is roughly equivalent to a 30 ° F drop in temperature . Windbreaks can decrease the impact wind has on an animal ’ s body temperature , maintaining their overall comfort and reducing stress . Improved Animal Health

During wintry conditions , cattle become more susceptible to diseases and other health problems . By reducing the wind ’ s impacts , there may be fewer instances of illness as well as fewer vet visits and bills . Providing wind protection can also lead to fewer birthing mortalities and healthier pregnancies , leading to better gaining calves . Increased Feed Efficiency

Cattle will often seek out natural windbreaks if one isn ’ t provided and prioritize getting out of the wind ahead of food

and water in severe winter weather . In addition , when outside temperatures decrease , cattle are less efficient at converting feed into energy and feed intake needs to increase to maintain a suitable body temperature . A general rule of thumb is that for every degree of cold stress a cow faces , energy requirements increase by 1 %. Taking the wind out of the equation encourages eating instead of seeking shelter and improves feed efficiency , which helps maintain an optimal body condition score .

Other advantages of windbreaks include snow control , improving the working environment , reducing noise and odors , and providing wildlife habitat . Depending on the cattle operation ’ s objectives , geography and environment , windbreaks can be an effective option to improve animal well-being and the bottom line .

Windbreak Tips

• Manmade or living ( trees / shrubs ) windbreaks can be effective .

• Select the right type and correct placement of windbreaks based on the operation ’ s business goals , geography and environment .

• Windbreaks that are taller and have fewer openings are most effective .

• Evergreen trees such as fir , pine and juniper are effective types of trees for windbreaks versus trees that have no leaves during winter .

• When designed properly , windbreaks not only protect livestock from cold winter winds , but they also allow summer breezes to circulate reducing potential heat stress .

• Contact a local extension office for detailed information on proper windbreak design and placement .

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