Winter Care for Cattle
Winter is a challenging season for dairy farmers. As temperatures drop, cattle use more energy to maintain body heat. If their diet and management are not adjusted properly, milk production can fall sharply. However, with the right winter care routine, you can keep cows and buffaloes healthy, prevent seasonal diseases, and increase their milk yield naturally.
This guide explains the best winter diet tips, management practices, and feeding strategies to ensure maximum milk production during cold weather.
Why Winter Care for Cattle Is Important?
Cold weather affects cattle in many ways:
Body temperature drops → energy requirement increases
Appetite decreases → animals often eat less
Water intake reduces → causes dehydration and lowers milk flow
Risk of pneumonia, fever, and cold stress increases
Milk fat percentage can drop if diet is not balanced
Proper winter feed and care help cattle stay warm, healthy, and productive.
Best Winter Diet Tips to Boost Milk Yield
1. Provide More Energy-Rich Feed
In winter, cattle need 20–30% more energy.
Best energy-rich feeds for winter:
Maize grain
Barley
Wheat bran
Jaggery (gur)
Rice polish
Oil cakes (Mustard cake, Cottonseed cake, Groundnut cake)
These feeds help maintain body heat and increase milk production.
2. Give Warm Water for Drinking
Cold water reduces intake, causing dehydration and lower milk yield.
✔ Always provide slightly warm (30–35°C) water
✔ Offer water 3–4 times a day
✔ Clean water trough daily
Warm water boosts digestion and keeps the cow comfortable.
3. Add Minerals & Salt Mixture Daily
Minerals are essential for milk production and immunity.
Daily supplements:
Mineral mixture: 50–60 grams
Salt (white or himalayan): small quantity daily
This prevents deficiencies and improves overall health.
4. Increase Green Fodder Intake
Green fodder helps maintain:
Proper digestion
Milk fat percentage
Overall nutritional balance
Best winter fodder options:
Berseem
Oat fodder
Lucerne
Ryegrass
Sorghum silage
If green fodder is not available, use silage + hay combination.
5. Give Protein-Rich Feed for High Milk Yield
Milk yield drops in winter when protein intake is low.
Top protein feeds:
Soybean meal
Mustard cake
Groundnut cake
Cottonseed cake
Provide 1–1.5 kg protein supplement per adult cow daily depending on milk production.
6. Include Digestive Enhancers
Cold weather slows digestion.
You can add:
Bypass fat
Bypass protein
Yeast supplements
Probiotics
These improve metabolism and help cows produce more milk.
7. Provide Good Quality Dry Fodder
Dry fodder ensures proper rumen function.
Best dry fodder for winter:
Wheat straw
Paddy straw (treated)
Groundnut haulms
Maize stover
Mix dry fodder + green fodder for balanced nutrition.
8. Add Jaggery (Gur) in Feed
Jaggery improves energy levels and digestion.
✔ Give 200–300 grams daily
✔ Especially helpful for high-yielding cows
9. Ensure Comfortable Bedding & Shelter
Cows produce more milk when they feel warm and stress-free.
Winter shelter tips:
Keep bedding dry using straw
Cover windows to block cold winds
Use gunny bags or curtains on shed sides
Maintain clean, dry floors
Comfort directly affects milk yield.
10. Protect Cattle from Morning & Evening Cold
Temperature is lowest between 4 AM to 8 AM.
Avoid letting animals out at this time.
✔ Let them graze or roam only after sunlight
✔ Keep newborn calves covered with blankets
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Special Winter Tip to Increase Milk Fat
Add these in the diet:
Flaxseed (alsi) – 100 g daily
Mustard cake – boosts milk fat
Good quality silage – improves fiber and fat levels
These ingredients naturally increase milk cream percentage.
Winter Health Precautions
To prevent diseases:
Deworm cattle before winter starts
Vaccinate timely (FMD, HS, BQ, Brucellosis)
Keep the shed dry to avoid pneumonia
Check for fever and cold symptoms daily
Healthy cows = higher milk production.
Sample Winter Diet Plan for a Milking Cow
Morning
5–7 kg green fodder
2–3 kg concentrate
Warm water
Afternoon
Dry fodder (wheat straw/hay)
5–6 kg green fodder
Evening
2–3 kg concentrate
Warm water
Daily Supplements
50–60 g mineral mixture
200 g jaggery
100 g bypass fat (optional)
1. What should I feed my cow in winter to increase milk?
Provide more energy-rich feed like maize, wheat bran, oil cakes, and jaggery. Add protein supplements and green fodder to maintain high milk production.
2. How can I protect my cattle from cold weather?
Keep the shed warm with dry bedding, block cold winds, use curtains, and avoid letting animals out during early morning cold hours.
3. Is warm water good for cows in winter?
Yes. Warm water improves digestion, increases water intake, and directly supports higher milk yield.
4. What is the best winter fodder for cows?
Berseem, oats, lucerne, and quality silage are ideal winter fodders that boost milk production.
5. Why does milk production drop in winter?
Milk falls because cattle use more energy to stay warm, drink less water, and their digestion slows down. Balanced diet and warm water prevent this drop.
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