- Be prepared to provide extra feed. Livestock will increase their daily feed intake to remain warm. Beef cattle are expected to need an additional 1% of total digestible nutrients (TDN, aka energy) for every degree of temperature below their 'critical' temperature. For animals with normal winter coats, this temperature is 32 degrees. In temperatures between 23 and 41 degrees, you can expect feed intake to increase by up to 8%. If livestock aren't provided the extra energy through their diet to stay warm, their bodies will burn stored fat to produce heat. This would be especially problematic for an animal in early lactation.
- Make a back up plan for watering livestock if necessary. If your animals rely on waterers supplied by a well, ensure you have a generator to power the well pump OR an alternative water source available in the event of power outage.
- Keep an eye on especially vulnerable livestock. This could include young, old, sick, or thin animals.
- Have enough fuel on hand for 3-5 days. While you may have plenty of hay for the cold spell, you'll find yourself in a bind if you can't start your equipment to move the 600lb bale. This is also true for any generators needed to keep your farm running smoothly.
- If your perimeter fence relies on wired electricity make a plan for losing power. This could include having a solar fence charger, or moving animals to another pasture when possible.
- Don't forget your freezers. If you sell meat direct to consumer, ensure you have a back up power source for any freezers storing meat.
- Remember that your safety comes first. Even though we have a hard time taking care of ourselves when our livestock need us, please remember that your safety should always be priority. As you take care of your farm, be mindful of slick walking paths and ground, and don't be afraid to take it slow. What seems like an emergency will only become more urgent if you find yourself injured.
Preparing Livestock Farms for Winter Weather
(Updated: Jan. 22, 2026, 9:52 a.m.)
If there's anything we learned after Helene, it would be to prepare as much and as early as possible for severe weather. With the winter storm approaching quickly, and the situation changing every hour, here a few things to keep in mind as you prepare your farm:
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