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Cold rains are more dangerous to cattle than blankets of snow, and frostbite is the most obvious ailment, Schutz said. Dairy cattle aren't likely to develop pneumonia if they are getting an adequate energy supply through their feed and have good ventilation. Schutz said cattle will consume 15% to 20% more feed in extremely cold conditions. The rule of thumb for beef cattle is that the energy requirement increases 13% for each 10 degree drop in temperature below 30 degrees for cattle with moderate body condition and a winter hair coat, Lemenager said. Energy requirements increase 30% for each 10 degree drop in temperature below 30 degrees when cows are wet, thin or still have a summer coat. "With this in mind, at a zero degree wind chill, a 90% increase in energy is needed for a cow that is wet, thin or has a summer coat," Lemenager said. "This increased energy requirement cannot be met by putting more hay out; it will require switching to higher quality feeds or by supplementing with grain." Care for calves Care requirements are different for calves. Calves are more susceptible than cows and heifers in winter because they typically are outside or in colder buildings. Calves should be kept dry and supplied with higher energy feed. For bottle-fed calves, this would constitute a 20% fat milk replacer. Dairy calves housed in hutches also should have a dry environment with extra bedding, Schutz said. Newborn beef calves and their mothers can be housed in a barn for 24 to 48 hours after birth to allow them time to dry and for the calves to consume colostrum, Lemenager said. De-icing for dairy cattle Other precautions can be taken for dairy cattle, Schutz said. Walkways for dairy cows can become slippery, causing more problems. "Producers should have a plan for moving cows to the milking parlor in icy conditions," Schutz said. "This can be done by de-icing slippery, unprotected walkways in fr ee stall facilities or providing traction by using sand or fine gravel in walkways between a cow's paddocks." Frozen teats are a problem that also may be encountered in frigid temperatures. Schutz said teat dips are available for cold temperatures, or milkers can dip the teats with their usual teat dip and blot them dry after 30 seconds. Cows and heifers with udder edema should be kept inside to prevent teat freezing. "Avoid the use of salves or ointments, as these do not provide much protection and increase the risk of spreading herpes mammalits, which cows are more susceptible to in times of cold stress," Schutz said. A contingency plan should be prepared for winter months, Schutz said. He said it is especially important to ensure that heaters on water sources are in good shape and a manure-handling plan is in place if the alley scrapers or flush valves freeze. Purdue University press release written by Michelle Betz, with additional material from newswires.
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Weather reports this morning show an oncoming storm that will bring wind, colder temperatures and up to eight inches of snow to southern Kansas and southward into the Texas Panhandle beef country later today. 
