Shelter Your Livestock with Trees

Winter is a harsh experience for most prairie dwellers. Energy costs go up, snow removal becomes a problem and the stresses associated are felt by both man and beast.

There are many ways humans make life more comfortable in winter: Our houses are heated, we put on extra clothing and shop in heated malls. For livestock and wildlife the act of finding shelter can be the difference between life and death.

Shelterbelts can play an important role in the protection of livestock, especially for young animals. Shelterbelts should be designed to meet the specific needs of each livestock operation. A properly planned and cared for shelterbelt can protect livestock in both winter and summer. The benefits to the landowner will last throughout the life of the shelterbelt.

Winter Protection

The amount of feed required to maintain body temperature in cattle is reduced when they are protected by shelterbelts. Livestock are less efficient at converting feed into energy(gain) under prolonged exposure to cold. When the air temperature falls below an animal's comfort zone, the animal must expend energy to keep warm. The generation of heat during periods of cold stress does not cause major increases in feed requirements for cattle but it does reduce the rate of weight gain.

Changes in temperature will produce irregular feeding patterns in cattle and cause them to be more susceptible to diseases and other heath problems. Producers in Nebraska are convinced that cattle provided with protection spend more time eating and less time bunched up for warmth. Therefore, cattle can gain more weight per unit of feed. Canadian researchers found that cattle on winter range, in unprotected sites, required 50 percent more feed for normal activities.

Studies in Montana indicated that during severe winters cattle in feedlots with shelterbelts maintained 10.6 more pounds than in unprotected lots. As well, success in calving was increased by 2% by the protection of a shelterbelt.

Beef cattle aren't the only ones that benefit from the protection of tree windbreaks. Milk production in dairy cows declines under windy conditions below 2 degrees Celsius. While cattle and sheep are naturally adapted to cold climates (heavy winter coats) swine are subject to serious temperature stress. Shelterbelts provide significant benefit to producers in the form of reduced feed requirements, increased weight gains, and improved animal health. As well, windbreaks reduce the amount of energy needed to heat confinement buildings.

Summer Protection

A properly designed shelterbelt will provide shade and allow summer winds to circulate in the pasture or feedlot area further reducing stress to animals. The north and west sides of a shelterbelt should provide the most protection when prevailing winds are from that direction. Leaving the south and east sides relatively open will encourage air flow and cut down on heat stress.

Livestock prefer shade in the summer when available. Grazing in forested areas will lead to the eventual decline of the tree stand. Livestock trample tree roots and kill young seedlings. This will lead to the compaction of the soil and a decrease in the moisture that is available to the roots. Browsing will open up a stand which decreases snow catch and enhances the drying effects of the wind. If possible, fence off trees from grassed areas. A mixture of fast and slow growing trees planted throughout the pasture and fenced off with cattle guards will offer shade and protection.

Hay and pasture yields will increase with the addition of shelterbelts. Water loss by evaporation is decreased with added protection from drying winds. Shelterbelts will also protect plants from physical injury. Young alfalfa plants have a very low tolerance to wind and wind blown soil. A 20% increase in yields for alfalfa can be expected with the use of shelterbelts. There is also the added benefit of an increase in available moisture with increased snow trapping.

Other Benefits

A shelterbelt will improve the working environment around feedlots, barns and pastures. People are even more sensitive to windchill than livestock. Working environments can also be screened off from the home and road with shelterbelts. Unsightly areas can be made less noticeable and the dust and noise can be decreased considerably with the use of trees.

Livestock shelterbelts also provide essential habitat for wildlife. Many species of birds and mammals will benefit from the added protection trees will provide. By planting a variety of tree and fruit bearing shrubs a diversity of wildlife will be attracted to your farm or ranch.

Designing Your Shelterbelt

Plan for easy access to animals, buildings, and forage and grain storage facilities during winter months. A properly planned shelterbelt will collect snow in low-use areas and keep it out of high-use areas. This saves on fuel and labour and reduces wear on equipment. Proper drainage for melting snow is essential in order to reduce the amount of mud in a feedlot or calving area. Runoff should be directed away from the trees since high nitrate levels from manure runoff will damage the shelterbelt.

Locate feed bunks 75-125 feet south of the inside row of the shelterbelt to avoid problems with snow in winter and heat stress in summer. The access road should be located outside of the snow accumulation area (figure 1 below).

Shelterbelts should be located perpendicular to the prevailing winter winds. In the Northern Great Plains shelterbelts should be located running north and south. Be careful that trees located on the south side do not block summer breezes.

Traditionally, three or more rows (multi-row design) of trees and shrubs are planted in a livestock shelterbelt for maximum protection. In row spacings are 8 feet for deciduous trees, 10 feet for conifers, and 3 feet for shrubs. Spacing between rows is usually 16 to 20 feet but should accommodate the size of the tillage equipment being used for maintenance. Multi-row designs provide a dense, diverse shelterbelt for the addition and protection of wildlife habitat.

A properly designed and cared for shelterbelt will give you many years of protection and enjoyment. A livestock shelterbelt should be designed to meet the specific needs of the site, the farm operation and the operator.

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