Cold stress is often underestimated in extensive sheep systems.
As ambient temperatures fall below the sheep’s thermoneutral zone, their bodies must expend additional energy to maintain a stable core temperature, and this increased demand for maintenance energy inevitably diverts nutrients away from other critical physiological functions, including growth, reproduction, and immune system support.
Maintenance energy requirements can increase by 20–40%, depending on wind chill and wet conditions.
Grazing alone rarely compensates for this increase.
Silage plays a critical role during this period, primarily because it offers a higher energy density compared to dry winter veld, contributes to an increased heat increment through ongoing fermentation processes, and supports a far more consistent level of feed intake.
Winterstorm silage can be used as a supplement feed in winter, or as a full feed.
The energy derived from fermentation is released steadily, providing a continuous source of metabolic heat that assists the animal in maintaining its core body temperature under cold conditions.
Without this nutritional support, sheep are forced to mobilise their body reserves to meet their energy requirements, which inevitably leads to weight loss, reduced conception rates, and a higher overall risk of mortality.
Winter does not create problems, it exposes them.
Unlock your flock’s full potential! The secret is in the bag with Winterstorm Kuilvoer.
Next month: Why protein alone cannot fix poor performance.