Climate resilience on-farm action planner: Winter temperatures

Here are some of the impacts of changing winter temperatures and the actions you can take using our Climate resilience on-farm action planner.

Extreme cold events are expected to become rarer and less severe, with fewer air frost and ground frost days, higher minimum temperatures and fewer very cold days.

• Review ventilation and energy requirements in livestock buildings to ensure adequate airflow without excessive heat loss
• Try to minimise wind chill and rain, which reduce calves and cows’ temperatures
• Assess need for calf jackets or alternative housing management and grouping strategies

• Insulate exposed pipework
• Provide a contingency water supply to ensure continuous supply of water

• Plan for increased energy demand in rations to maintain body condition, productivity and health during cold periods

• Be more vigilant to the extent of pest and disease issues, e.g. bluetongue continuing through the winter months, in consultation with vet health and welfare plans
• Vary fluke and worm management and treatment plans
• Change the frequency of housing/bedding clearance/changes

• Less energy and bedding used in animal housing
• Less risk of water freezing and damaging pipes
• Lower winter feed demands and costs (keep a log of energy use and winter feed)
• Potential for extended grazing periods or outwintering opportunities
• Potential to shift lambing or calving patterns to benefit from seasonality-linked prices or payments