As winter’s icy grip tightens its hold on the countryside, farmers and ranchers face the daunting challenge of ensuring the well-being of their livestock.
Frigid temperatures, biting winds, and heavy snowfall can put livestock at risk for various health issues, including frostbite, hypothermia and reduced feed efficiency. One crucial strategy to protect these animals during the winter months is the use of windbreaks.
In this article, we will explore the importance of windbreaks for cattle in winter, their various types, and the benefits they offer.
The forecast is for an El Niño winter which is often warmer and wetter than normal. With that in mind, be sure to account for where the snow will be so you don’t have to move it.
Windbreaks, also known as shelterbelts or wind fences, are man-made or natural barriers designed to mitigate the effects of harsh winter weather on livestock. They serve as shields against strong winds and blowing snow, creating microclimates that provide comfort and protection for livestock.
Properly designed and maintained windbreaks can significantly improve the well-being of cattle and enhance the overall productivity of the farm.
Types
Planting a variety of trees and shrubs along the edge of a feedlot can create a natural windbreak. Two or three rows of tall trees with a row of short shrubs will catch most of the snow and will provide down-wind protection for about 20 times the height. They reduce the wind by about half the original wind speed.
Living windbreaks are a long-term investment on a farmstead. Use several different species of trees and shrubs so that an insect or disease will not wipe out your entire effort like the Emerald ash borer has in many cases.
Feedlot protection fences can be built out of old steel sheets, wood or big round bales. The key is to be 20% open and 80% solid — this lets enough air through to keep the velocity near the livestock at 20% of the original speed. A 40 mile per hour wind is reduced to just 10 miles per hour for about 10 times the height that was built.
These windbreaks will dump snow for two times the height of the windbreak, so be sure that you won’t have to push it out of the way all winter long. Make sure the feed bunks and waters are in the protected zone from prevailing winds from the North and West in the winter.
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Snow fences are slatted fences or fabric designed to trap blowing snow. They are 50% closed and 50% open and will accumulate snow for about five times their height. The drift will be 1.2 times as high and is about three times its height.
Be sure to place them back far enough to allow for the snow to accumulate with out causing headaches to move it.
Round bales can also be used for snow windbreaks, though building them often takes more skill as they can be blown over.
Benefits
Windbreaks create a sheltered environment that helps maintain a more consistent temperature within the protected living space. This is especially important in Iowa with extreme cold weather.
Cattle exposed to harsh winter conditions can become stressed, leading to lower feed efficiency and overall productivity. Windbreaks reduce this stress, allowing cattle to stay healthier and perform better.
Cattle kept in a more temperate environment will use less energy to stay warm, leaving more energy available for growth. This results in improved feed efficiency and reduced feed costs.
Snow fences and natural windbreaks are effective in placing the snow drifts where they will be out of the way of equipment and feedlots. This ensures that cattle have access to clean drinking water and adequate feed during winter.
Windbreaks also play a role in preventing cold-related health issues, such as frostbite and hypothermia, which can be detrimental to cattle’s well-being.
Windbreaks are an easy to build element in ensuring the welfare and productivity of cattle during the winter months. Properly designed and strategically placed windbreaks can significantly reduce the impact of strong winds and snow accumulation. They provide cattle with a more comfortable and stress-free environment, leading to improved feed efficiency, better health, and ultimately, a more successful farming operation.
As winter approaches, it’s important for farmers to consider implementing windbreaks as part of their overall livestock management strategy to keep their cattle safe and thriving in the face of winter’s challenges.
As my late father always said, there are only two seasons here — winter and winter is coming — so it’s time to get prepared.