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TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Cattle herds in East Texas require some extra care during the winter, costing ranchers more time and money to make sure the animals stay healthy. If the cattle are raised for beef, their ability to stay warm and well-fed is imperative for the ranchers to turn a profit come Spring and Summer.

“We’ve had a couple really tough winters the past couple years after having several soft winters, so we have been pushing it really tight the last couple years,” said rancher and owner of Cut Beef in Tyler J. Scott Herod.

The cost of feeding a herd for a cold winter can set ranchers like Herod back thousands of dollars a week depending on the size of their herds and how many they have.

“In the winter, a cow’s gonna consume about 30% more calories on a weekly basis than they will in traditional weather,” said Herod.

According to Beef Cattle Specialist Dr. Jason Banta explained that cattle’s bodies accommodate for their larger winter diet.

“Physiologically, their bodies will actually allow them to eat just a little bit more during the cold weather to help them manage that stress,” he said.

The herds require more than just extra food to keep them safe in the cold.

Rancher Brooks Melton said, “With the cold spell we had this past week, you know, it’s very important that you have windbreakers for them, whether that’s tree lines or getting old-quality hay lined up to where they can go in and nestle in the hay and spread it out, especially for the calves.”

Herod expressed the relationship between ranchers and their cattle is mutual – they are essential to each other.

“I think it’s important to be preparing and making sure that we’ve got the mindset that these animals are in need of our help, and ranchers, if they have livestock, I assure you they care about them as it is our livelihood,” he said.