As severe cold and dense fog continue across Punjab, livestock experts from Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) have issued urgent guidelines for dairy owners to protect cattle from cold-induced stress and health risks. The advisory comes amid reports that unusually low night temperatures and persistent fog are impacting animal well-being and dairy operations in the region.

GADVASU specialists stressed that prolonged exposure to cold and damp conditions can lead to respiratory ailments, reduced feed intake and weakened immunity in both cows and buffaloes — affecting milk yields and overall herd health. Dairy owners were advised to take simple but effective measures to mitigate cold stress, including insulating cattle sheds with dry bedding, windbreaks and curtains, ensuring animals have access to dry, clean resting areas, and supplementing with warm water and energy-rich feeds to help maintain body warmth.

Experts also recommended timely deworming, vitamin-mineral supplements to support immunity, and regular health monitoring for signs of cold stress such as coughing, nasal discharge or lethargy. Proper ventilation — without direct wind exposure — and routine cleaning of sheds can reduce humidity and infection risk, while adequate fodder reserves help avoid nutritional stress during harsh weather. (

For dairy operations dependent on consistent milk production, the advisory emphasised proactive herd care: buffaloes may need extra energy feeds and shelter reinforcement, while cows should be shielded from early-morning chills that can trigger mastitis and metabolic disruption. Farmers were also encouraged to work with local veterinarians for tailored animal health plans.

The expert warnings align with broader winter risk management advice in northern India, where severe cold waves and dense fog have disrupted transportation, fodder logistics and farm routines in recent days. With dairy farmers facing tight margins and weather-related costs, practical animal care measures can help protect herd health and sustain milk yields through the cold season.

Source : Dairynews7x7 Jan 14th 2026 TOI

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