[Keeping beef cattle and sheep outdoors in winter]

Whole-year free ranging of beef cattle and sheep is a low-cost keeping system, but during winter special regard is required because the insulating effect of barns is missed. Because of various reactions of adaptation to cold climate, beef cattle and sheep are able to cope with out-wintering. But reactions have to be supported by an animal friendly keeping system to prevent heat loss which could lead to cold stress. In addition to demand that only healthy animals with sufficient body fat should be wintered outdoors, animals must have experience with winter climate and area. Because of heat loss from wind and the observation that suckler cows avoided lying on cold and wet floor, a straw-bedded and wind protected lying area for all animals has to be provided. Suckler cows did not require a roofed shelter as investigations for 10 years in a low mountain range called Solling with an average annual precipitation of 850 to 900 mm showed. In all weather conditions cows were able to maintain homeothermy. Besides, fertility performance of out-wintered suckler cows was not negatively affected by keeping system. However, health condition of cows was positively influenced by out-wintering because of the absence of respiratory diseases and infections with ectoparasites. In addition, not only hardy breeds but also beef breeds were suitable for out-wintering which means that the low cost out-wintering could be combined with the production of meaty carcasses. However, in predestined areas magnesium supply of cows could be inadequate and in autumn stress associated with weaning or poor weather conditions could lead to hypomagnesaemia. Because of a low cold tolerance of newborn lambs, out-wintered lambing ewes required a roofed shelter with a straw-bedded floor and with 3 side walls. Only ewes with good mothering abilities should be wintered outdoors because the reliable adoption of lamb/lambs after birth, an early dry licking and a clear presentation of the udder increased vigour and as a result cold tolerance of newborn lambs.