MITCHELL DAILY REPUBLIC

Uneasy Temps
By Erin Beck
Cattle are still maintaining performance, handling the thermometer as its peaked near 60 and
dipped down into the negative teens while Mother Nature has flaunted her temperamental side
this winter.
Cory Eich, who runs a commercial operation of 450 head near Canova, says his cattle have
performed well this winter considering the variability in temperatures. Pen conditions, though,
have been worse for the wear. A cycle of hard freezes giving way to several days of thawing
have left pens muddy.
Its the messiest lots Ive ever seen for January and February this year, Eich said.
Sloppy pens have made maneuverability more difficult for feedlot cattle. Eich said the mud has
been tough on cattles feet in the feedlot, a condition that usually isnt an issue until the spring
thaw in March and April.
While feedlot cattle are feeling the effects from the pendulum swing of the thermometer, Eich
hasnt noticed any respiratory problems that can be associated with the stress of warmer
temperatures. His beef herd has been holding its own performance-wise.
Ive been quite pleased with the appearance of our cattle, Eich said.
SDSU beef feedlot extension specialist Reid McDaniel agrees that pen conditions have been an
issue for feedlots. Hes also heard from producers that lice have been a bigger struggle than usual
this winter. In McDaniels opinion warmer weather has been a contributing factor to that
problem.
McDaniel also pointed to rumen acidosis as another implication feedlot cattle face during
fluctuating temperatures, especially during extreme cold. As with any cold snap, cattle have to
meet a higher maintenance energy requirement to support basic metabolism. The arrival of cold
temperatures sends cattle to the feed bunk more often, but severe cold stress causes cattle to
huddle together instead of visiting the bunk. With fewer trips to the bunk, cattle deviate from
their normal eating patterns and end up eating more at each trip. Variability in feed intake is a
recipe for rumen acidosis, particularly for feedlot cattle on a high concentrate diet.
They get acclimated to a certain temperature, McDaniel said. All of a sudden that changes,
and it comes as a shock to them.
Respiratory problems become a bigger issue during temperature swings. Cattle under the stress
of oscillating temperatures are more susceptible to BRD, especially feedlot cattle. McDaniel said
that previously sick cattle are also at a greater risk for relapsing.

Temperature swings can put them over the edge, McDaniel said.
While unsteady temperatures are expected, South Dakota state climatologist Dennis Todey said
that the large variability South Dakota has seen this winter isnt the norm. Stats from the
National Weather Service show November temps in the Mitchell area usually ranging from the
teens to 50 degrees, but November 2014 temps spanned a high of 70 to a low of -3. While its
common to see the thermometer drop down to the single digits during the winter months,
December came in at a high of 59 and a low of -13, while January saw a high of 53 and a low of
-10.
Although the state hasnt seen anything as drastic as Spearfishs record-breaking two-minute
temperature spike of 49 degrees in 1943 or Rapid Citys 75 degree temperature swing over two
hours in 1911, Todey said the thermometer hasnt followed its regular pattern this winter with
the large shifts that have taken place the past few months.
Our temperature yo-yo has been going on since September, Todey said.
Even with the cold spells taken into account, Todey said this winter will be warmer than average.
He doesnt think cattle producers have been hit too hard by the temperature fluctuations, but he
is concerned with eastern South Dakotas soil conditions. According to the U.S. Drought
Monitor, eastern South Dakota is rated as abnormally dry. With enough rainfall in the spring
Todey said this wont pose an issue unless dry soil conditions persist.