DWIGHT, Ill. – Most of Illinois was gripped in a bitter, wind-driven deep freeze during Christmas 2022. For the week of Dec. 22-28, temperatures in Illinois plunged to lows averaging around -15 degrees (or as low as -40 degrees in “real feel” temperature), with portions of the northern part of the state blanketed in up to 5-6 inches of blowing and drifting snow.

Huddled together at their Livingston County farm for the holidays, the Jason and Tasha Bunting family took extra precautions to ensure that their cattle and sheep came through the Arctic cold snap unscathed. Tasha Bunting, who serves as associate director of commodities and livestock programs for the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), said she wanted the general public to know that livestock producers are vigilant in caring for their animals in dangerously cold weather conditions.

“A lot of our preparation was to make sure there was plenty of bedding in the barn for the cows to be able to get out of the really cold, blowing snow and have a windbreak,” she said, “as well as feed and water. We put out some extra hay bales, made sure the water tank heaters were not frozen over, and did a lot of other prep work leading up to the big cold snap.”

The couple also devoted time to getting suited up for more frequent barn visits to check on animal welfare and machinery. “It’s pretty normal for cattle producers to check on their animals frequently to make sure all is well,” Bunting said. “Maybe offer a little extra feed, because they are going to need that nutrition to help keep their body temperatures elevated when it gets so cold and windy.”

Though both livestock and humans came out of the pre-Christmas freeze unscathed, the couple considers themselves fortunate that no winter calving is done on their farm. “We didn’t have to worry about any mama cows that might be going into labor or take extra precautions for keeping calves dry and warm. In such situations farmers have to work through that. I remember growing up, at times my dad would have to bring a calf into the kitchen or sun porch to warm it up and then reunite it with its mama cow in the barn later on,” said Bunting, whose family registered a herd of short horned cattle to raise on their farm over 80 years ago, and has continued ever since. 

The IFB livestock expert noted that responsible livestock producers always take an active role in protecting their animals from extreme weather and other threats to their health and safety.

“It’s important that consumers and the general public have a basic understanding of what it is that farmers are doing to prepare. We don’t just wait for (bad weather) to pass – there are things farmers are doing to make sure animals are staying safe and having access to the feed, water and shelter they need,” Bunting said.  

According to Illinois state meteorologist Trent Ford, average temperatures in Illinois ranged from single digits in northwest Illinois to the low 20s in southern Illinois, or between 15 and 20 degrees below normal, from Dec. 22-28, 2022.

“Actual temperatures regularly dipped below zero across the state, including -15 in Knox and Mercer Counties, -12 in Lee and Cook Counties, and -11 in McLean and Champaign Counties. Combined with 25 plus mph sustained winds and 45 plus mph wind gusts, wind chill values were in the -25 to -40 degree range. Although the temperatures and wind were not unprecedented for late December, they are fairly rare, occurring only once every 20 to 25 years,” Ford said.   

Extension expert offers cold weather guidance

“It is important to know where efforts are best spent. Cattle handle cold weather quite well as long as they have a dry, heavy winter hair coat,” said University of Illinois Extension beef educator Travis Meteer. Meteer made the following recommendations for livestock care in frigid temperatures:

- Provide windbreak or shelter. A heavy winter hair coat is the cow’s best defense to the cold. If that hair coat gets wet or is subject to wind, it is less effective. Thus, keeping cows dry and out of the wind drastically improves their ability to handle cold weather.

- Provide bedding. Giving cattle some additional insulation from cold ground can help. A heavily bedded area can also serve as a place for cows to nest and get out of the cold.

- Provide enough windbreak or bedding for all. In situations where calves are present, make sure there is plenty of room in these areas. If cows are huddling or crowded, the possibility of calves getting stepped on increases.

- Make sure water is available. Keeping water thawed is important. Cows drink more water when experiencing cold stress. Normally, assume cows will drink one gallon per 100 pounds. However, when stressed, they tend to consume closer to two gallons per 100 pounds.

- Provide additional energy in the diet. Cows can utilize body fat reserves for energy. However, in an effort to keep cows from becoming thin over periods of cold weather or environmental conditions that increase maintenance requirements, providing additional energy in the diet is suggested. This can be accomplished by providing higher-quality forages, supplemental grains or co-product feeds.

- Feed in the afternoon or early evening. The digestive process of a ruminant animal generates heat. Thus, feeding later in the day can allow for this digestive heat to help warm the animal in the overnight period, when temperatures will be the coldest.

As always, remember that livestock are hardy critters and, with a little help, can easily make it through short periods of cold stress.

Livestock producers tend to worry about livestock before themselves, but it is important to think about self-care too:

- Dress in layers; insulate yourself with plenty of clothing. Hat, scarf, gloves, etc.

- Wear waterproof exterior layers.

- Have a change of clothes, extra hat, extra gloves in the truck or tractor.

- Keep your feet and hands dry.

- Bring hand or foot warmers.

- Keep your phone charged or a charger close to be able to call in reinforcements.

- Keep tractors, trucks and equipment full of fuel in case you get stuck or stranded. This will ensure the equipment can run and keep warm until help arrives.

- Don’t be afraid to go inside to warm up. (U of I Extension)