Keep Your Herd Healthy Through the Cold Months

Winter on a dairy farm is hard work. The days are short, the weather is brutal, and the risks to herd health increase every time the temperature drops. 

You can’t control the weather. But there’s a lot you can do to keep your cows warm, dry, and productive through the worst of it. 

Let’s examine some of dairy herds' most common winter health challenges and learn how to stay one step ahead of them. 

Cold stress eats into your yield 

Cows are tough animals. But when the temperature drops below their comfort zone, they need more energy to stay warm. That means less energy goes toward milk production, fertility, and overall performance. 

Cold stress doesn’t just hit when the thermometer goes below zero. If sheds are draughty or damp, cows can burn extra energy even in mild weather. 

The signs are often subtle. Milk yields dip slightly. Dry cows might start losing condition. Or you might see more lameness and sore feet from standing on wet bedding all day. 

A warm, dry environment makes all the difference. Well-ventilated sheds are essential, but if cold wind or driving rain makes its way inside, you have a problem. 

Moisture means more bugs 

Wet bedding doesn’t just make cows uncomfortable. It creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. 

Scour, mastitis, pneumonia, and lameness thrive in damp, dirty conditions. If calves are housed on cold, wet concrete, they’ll struggle to grow and stay healthy. If the cubicles are soaked, cows will spend more time standing, which increases the risk of lameness. 

Clean, dry bedding is your best line of defence. But if your sheds are exposed to wind-driven rain, you’ll be topping it up constantly. And the costs stack up fast. 

This is where simple changes like windbreaks, blinds, or better drainage can make a huge difference. The less rain that gets into your shed, the less bedding you waste, and the lower the disease risk. 

Draughts affect calves more than you think 

Young calves are especially vulnerable in winter. They lack the fat reserves or immune strength of older animals. 

A small draught might seem harmless, but can significantly impact calf health. Even a slight wind chill can increase the risk of pneumonia and set back growth for weeks. 

Good calf housing should keep air moving without exposing them to direct wind. That’s easier said than done, especially in old or open buildings. If you can stand in the pen and feel a breeze, it’s too much for a calf. 

That’s why many farmers use windbreak mesh or blinds to create a better balance. They allow natural airflow and light without letting cold air rush in. 

Airflow matters more than insulation