Winter Cattle Care Tips Every Indian Farmer Should Know

In most regions of India, winter is very severe, and this is why cold weather might impact the health, productivity, and immunity of cattle. Cold, foggy weather, chill winds, and a scanty supply of green fodder can lead to diseases and loss in milk yield. This manual provides easy and low-cost winter management guidelines to Indian farmers.

1. Provide Warm and Dry Shelter

Cold wind, fog, and moisture are some of the environmental conditions that affect cattle during winter. 

• Ensure sheds are dry, well-ventilated, and devoid of moisture.
• Use straw walls, gunny bags, or plastic sheets to block cold breezes.
• To avoid moisture, roofs should be leak-proof.
• To keep floors warm, use sawdust, straw, or dried leaves as bedding.
• To prevent bacterial and fungal illnesses, keep things clean.

2. Increase Energy-Rich Feed Intake

Cattle require more energy in winter to maintain body temperature. Poor nutrition can reduce milk yield and weaken immunity.

• Add more dry fodder, wheat straw, paddy straw, or hay.
• Provide green fodder like berseem, oats, mustard leaves, or lucerne when available
• Include concentrates such as maize, barley, oil cakes, and bran.
• Add mineral mixture and common salt regularly.

3. Ensure Access to Lukewarm Drinking Water

Cold water intake can reduce feed consumption and affect digestion.

• Provide lukewarm water 2 -3 times a day, particularly during milking of cattle.
• Avoid extremely cold water early in the morning
• The application of clean and fresh water should be implemented.
• Milk production and good health are impossible without sufficient water consumption.

4. Protect Cattle from Cold Stress

In the winter, the most susceptible animals are young calves, old, and diseased ones.

• Calves are covered with jute sacks, blankets, or gunny bags.
• Keep calves in warm places.
• Exposure to sunlight during daytime.

5. Focus on Calf Care

In winter, calves require special attention as their immunity is still under formation.

• Ensure colostrum is fed immediately after birth.
• On cold days, increase the amount of milk a little.
• Avoid soiled bedding and damp floors.

Calves reared in good health have faster growth rates and become productive adults.

6. Maintain Hygiene and Disease Prevention

Exposure to cold temperatures could cause skin and respiratory tract diseases in cattle.

• Clean the sheds frequently to prevent the buildup of moisture.
• Clean the floor and feeding stations regularly.
• Observe correct schedules of vaccination.
• De-worm cattle as recommended by the veterinarians.
• Look out for such symptoms as coughing, nasal discharge, fever, or loss of appetite.

7. Proper Grooming and Exercise

Frequent grooming enhances the flow of blood and makes cattle feel good.

• Brush cattle daily to remove dirt and to warm them up.
• Do not tie animals up all the time.

8. Monitor Body Condition and Milk Yield

Frequent monitoring prevents the detection of issues at an early stage.

• Measure body weight and status weekly.
• Check the quantity and quality of milk.
• Correct feed in case of a drastic decrease in milk yield.

Winter cattle care is not about expensive methods but timely management, proper nutrition, warmth, and hygiene. Indian farmers can help their cattle to avoid winter stress by offering them appropriate shelter, good nutritional food, clean water, and preventive medications. Winter does not have to be a daunting time of the year, but with proper treatment, it can be a fruitful season.

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