Growing Beef Newsletter
March 2026, Volume 16, Issue 9
Spring weather conditions create challenges
Chris Clark, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist
We have all probably heard the old cliché about places with variable weather conditions, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes, and it will change.” That can certainly apply to springtime in Iowa and throughout the Midwest. We can experience just about anything: freezing temperatures, snow, ice, rain, thunderstorms, wind, sunshine, etc., and sometimes several of those things within a pretty short duration of time. How does this sometimes wild weather impact your livestock?
Despite much of the state being abnormally dry right now, the most common springtime weather problem in Iowa is probably excess moisture and mud. Snow/ice melt, along with spring rains, often create wet, muddy conditions that cause problems, especially during calving season. Mud is always a headache, but it can be particularly challenging for cattle producers during calving season. Muddy conditions increase the risk for hypothermia, failure of passive transfer, and infectious disease of newborn calves. Wet, muddy coats do not insulate as effectively as clean, dry coats. Born into these conditions, newborns can struggle to regulate body temperature and become chilled, which can lead to weakness, lethargy, and suckling issues. Pathogens thrive in muddy lot conditions, and udders can easily become dirty with contaminated mud and manure. Mud can also contribute to greater energy requirements for cattle. Muddy conditions can increase energy demands by affecting the insulating ability of the hair coat and by simply increasing calories burned as animals struggle to walk through mud. Deep mud can increase energy requirements by up to 30%.
Cold stress is another significant animal stressor in the spring. Obviously, there can be cold weather, particularly cold nights, especially in the early spring. And we are all probably quick to appreciate the concern when temperatures fall below freezing, especially if they drop into the single digits or lower. But what about temperatures in the 30’s, 40’s, even 50’s? We often talk about the lower critical temperature in cattle production; the temperature below which animals need more calories in order to maintain body temperature and support basal metabolism and activity. Several variables interact to determine the lower critical temperature. Coat condition, wind speed, body condition, precipitation, and other factors come into play. An animal with a dry, winter coat and some fat cover may have a lower critical temperature as low as 18 degrees F, while an animal with a summer or wet coat and maybe a lesser body condition may have a lower critical temperature as high as almost 60 degrees F. That’s a huge difference! Have you ever had to sit through a spring athletic event, such as a track meet, soccer match, or tennis meet, when it is rainy and windy and the temperatures are in the 40’s or 50’s? It can be miserable and you can quickly become chilled to the bone. These conditions can affect cattle in much the same way.
Thinking back to the cliché used to start the article, let’s think a little bit about temperature swings. Cold nights and warm days are commonly noted by producers as being stressful on cattle and making them more susceptible to illness. But why would that be? Think about how the body adapts to environmental conditions. In response to heat, peripheral blood vessels dilate, dry matter intake decreases, respiratory rate increases, water intake increases, and animals sweat, all to regulate body temperature and prevent overheating. In response to cold, it’s just the opposite as peripheral blood vessels constrict, dry matter intake increases (unless it’s really cold), water consumption decreases, there is no sweating and things like shivering may occur to increase metabolic rate and internal heat production. There are additional, more complicated physiologic and hormonal responses to help regulate body temperature as well. The take-home message is that the body naturally responds in an attempt to mitigate heat stress and cold stress.
With drastic or sudden changes in conditions, the body may have difficulty keeping up. Perhaps overnight on a cold night, the body responds appropriately to mitigate cold stress and maintain body heat only to be faced with warm temperatures the next day requiring the opposite response. Or perhaps after a warm, sunny day while still carrying a thick winter coat, an animal adapts to mitigate heat stress, only to be faced with cold overnight temperatures and the need for the opposite adaptation. Have you ever worked up a sweat while out on a cold day or just before going out on a cold day? And you feel that extra chill because the point of sweating is to help you cool off! Or maybe the opposite, you’ve bundled up, drank hot cocoa and increased activity level to stay warm and all of the sudden the sun comes out and the temperature increases, and now you’re quickly removing layers. Imagine that same kind of phenomenon each morning and night. Some of the physiologic responses happen quickly and some more slowly but regardless, there is probably some degree of physiologic stress that goes along with the inconsistency and the constant need to adapt. And perhaps some mental, physical, emotional stress associated with any discomfort experienced with each change before the body has adapted to overcome the new challenge.
Hair coat is a good example of an adaptation that moves more slowly. As a relative of mine once said talking about the stress his cattle seemed to experience on an unseasonably warm day, "They can’t take their coats off!" Hair coat is a big factor but is slow to change. Think about an animal that has yet to shed out and now has to attempt to regulate body temperature on a hot, humid day. Or a cow that has shed out well only to experience a cold overnight. Throw in some spring precipitation and it is easy to imagine her experiencing some cold stress.
So, what can we do to help? There is no simple answer. It takes vigilance and constant work to meet the needs of our livestock. Pen maintenance is important to minimize mud, and stocking density is part of that scenario. Be careful not to overstock and consider turning some out to pasture as conditions allow. For seasons of transition, it may be best to offer animals options. Prepare a facility that offers bedding and windbreak for those cold nights, yet also offers shade and areas with good ventilation to help with warm days. Strive to offer a balanced ration that meets the needs of their production phase, and be prepared for extended/severe cold spells when you may need to offer more calories. Always offer ad lib access to fresh, clean water and check it daily to make sure it is thawed, working, and available.
Another interesting point is learning to identify sick cattle versus physiologic responses to the environment. For example, cattle may have an increased respiratory rate on a hot day, or perhaps even on just a warm day if they still have their thick winter coat. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are sick. Another common example is a little runny nose or mild cough in the mornings after a cooler night. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are sick. Step back and look at the big picture. Are they bright, alert, and responsive? Are they eating? Are they using their tongues to clean their nostrils? Are they ruminating? Do they have any other clinical signs? The answers to these questions will help determine whether they are truly sick, or whether we are just seeing normal responses to environmental conditions.
Cows are amazing creatures and shockingly hardy, but whatever we can do to help them deal with weather extremes and variations should help them to be more comfortable, healthy, and productive.
This monthly newsletter is free and provides timely information on topics that matter most to Iowa beef producers. You’re welcome to use information and articles from the newsletter - simply credit Iowa Beef Center.
