Below are estimates of lower critical temperatures for beef cattle. Keep in mind that these estimates do not consider various factors that may impact an animal’s threshold (e.g. condition of the animal and wind chill).
Estimates of lower critical temperatures for beef cattle in different seasons*
| Season | Lower Critical Temperature |
|---|
| Summer | 15°C |
| Fall | 7°C |
| Early winter | 0°C |
| Late winter | -8°C |
*Assuming that the animal is not susceptible to cold stress due to age, disease, poor condition, poor hair coat, and no wind chill.
Why may cold stress be more of a concern this year?
Most of the beef cattle raised in Canada acclimate to winter quickly. Very young, old, and ill animals are more susceptible to cold stress, especially those without good fat coverage.
This is why we recommend that cattle should be in good condition going into winter (i.e., Body Condition Score of 3). However, this may be a challenge for beef producers due to the recent drought and feed shortages.
What are the signs of cold stress in beef cattle?
In beef cattle, the following are signs of cold stress.
- Calves won’t suckle a bottle or fingers
- Depression, fatigue, unwillingness to move, and going down
- Fresh frostbite
- Low body temperature (<35°C)
- Pale gums
- Shivering (but may stop if the condition becomes severe)
- Skin or mouth is cold to the touch
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