The cooler days and nights are here, and a good reminder of taking steps to winterize the things in our lives: vehicles, homes, and wardrobes. Winterizing is a proactive solution that helps us avoid problems associated with dropping temperatures and is a tactic that can also be applied to your calves.
When the temperature is low, a calf’s body responds by producing heat (thermogenesis), which for a newborn calf is often produced one of two ways—The breakdown of brown fat (BF), which is readily available energy. Or by shivering, which produces heat in a similar way to exercising or moving around. The latter can and should be avoided as it takes energy from the calf that could be used for growth and health.