Simply, cold cows are less efficient cows. The more comfortable cows are, the less risk of body weight loss during the winter and the less risk their spring and summer performance will be affected. It's not feasible for producers to keep cows inside a building, but windbreaks are a good alternative. Some forms include shelter belts, trees, hay stacks and pastures protected by hill formations. For example, if a cow's comfort zone is 18 F, and the wind chill drops to 10 F, the cow needs 8 percent more energy, or TDN, to maintain her weight.
Rain also is a concern, although in Kansas, winter brings few wet days.
Graze crop residues. Once the combine has finished harvest, producers have a good opportunity to use what's left. The sooner producers get those cows in there, the better in terms of the nutritional value to the cow. Corn stalks and soybean stubble should be used, when possible. Sorghum or milo stubble also can be grazed, but the rules are not the same.