The latest blizzard to hit South Dakota and many parts of the Midwest is causing concern for cattle producers.  Winter storms often means performance levels on cattle will drop.  Julie Walker is a beef specialist with South Dakota State University.  She says it is difficult to maintain top rate of gain during winter storms.  She says cattle during the cold winter spells require more energy.

Walker says when heavy snowfall occurs, it too causes cattle performance to drop as feedlot cattle struggle to walk across the feed yard stepping in large snow drifts.

Walker says cattle can usually adapt to the winter conditions.