Simple steps keep cattle comfortable in heavy snow


As heavy snow falls across the middle part of the country, producers will have to layer up and head outside to keep cattle as comfortable as they can.
Mike McClintock, extension agent for the University of Arkansas, says a cow’s ability to withstand cold temperatures is reduced as snow soaks its coat, reducing its insulating properties. Cattle should have access to shelter if possible, otherwise windbreaks can shield livestock from the elements.
McClintock also recommends increasing the amount of hay available to cattle. He says roughage is the best way for ruminants to elevate body temperature. Clumps of hay may also be used for bedding to keep cattle from lying directly on the cold snow.
Producers should increase the amount of quality feed given to livestock, but McClintock advises you should not increase feeding of concentrates abruptly as this could cause digestive upsets. A sudden change could do more harm than good for cattle in cold, wet weather.
Read more winter tips:






Fast Facts
  • Major thrust of winter storm expected Wednesday night into Thursday
  • Make last-minute checks of teetering trees, limbs
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansans were being advised to make last-minute checks for teetering trees and broken branches as a patchwork of winter weather warnings and watches blanketed counties north and west of a line running from near Mena to counties bordering the Missouri Bootheel.
Snow fell in Polk County early Wednesday and was replaced by rain. Light snow was also reported in Perry and Pope counties. Sleet was moving in to central Arkansas mid-morning Wednesday, followed by snow flakes around lunchtime, but John Robinson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Little Rock said “The big episode of winter weather will be from late tonight (Wednesday night) into Thursday.”
Robinson said for Wednesday night, northern Arkansas and the Ouachitas could see a quarter to a half-inch of freezing rain and sleet, possibly with some thunder. Central Arkansas would see smaller accumulations of freezing rain and sleet and southern Arkansas could expect “only a cold rain, with some thunder.”
The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville closed at 2 p.m. Wednesday, and schools in Elkins, Gentry, Prairie Grove, Waldron and some in Boone County were letting out early following morning snow.
“The main thing people can do today is to make sure no limbs are hanging over their roofs and other structures,” said Tamara Walkingstick, associate director of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“If those limbs can be reached safely, cut them back,” she said Wednesday. “However, if they have limbs over power lines, they should call their power company.”
Storms on Monday night cut power to thousands of Arkansas, destroying a home and damaging vehicles.
“My main concern are trees leaning or branches compromised from the Christmas snow that might topple or break with excess weight,” Walkingstick said. “Especially any double trunk trees that were split but just didn't break.”
Cold, wet weather is a concern for the state’s cattle producers.
“When cattle, horses and other livestock get their hair soaked, the coat loses its insulating properties, reducing the animal’s ability to withstand cold temperatures,” said Mike McClintock, Boone County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“Producers should consider increasing hay amounts to their stock, in case this storm front turns out to be worse than forecast,” he said. “Roughage is the best way for ruminants to elevate body temperature.”
McClintock advises feeding the best quality available and in adequate amount, but warns against a sudden increase in high-calorie supplements.
“Don’t abruptly increase the feeding of concentrates to livestock, as this could cause digestive upsets that could actually do more harm to the livestock than the cold, wet weather,” he said.
In the Delta, “Most row crop producers are getting their equipment ready for the upcoming season, and probably trying to stay warm on a day like today,” said Keith Perkins, Lonoke County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “My Dad would say that there is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothes.”
To stay warm, Phillips County Extension Agent Robert Goodson recommended folks “make sure propane tanks full” and it wouldn’t hurt to “have plenty of marshmallows for hot chocolate.”
Robinson said the precipitation was expected to end over western Arkansas on Thursday afternoon and should leave the eastern edge of the state early Thursday evening.

Radar screen on February 20, 2013
THIN LINE -- Freezing rain was falling along a thin line that was a preview of the wintry weather to come. Screen shot taken 9:20 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20. (Image courtesy National Weather Service) 
For other disaster planning information, contact your county extension office, or visitwww.uaex.edu.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
February 20, 2013
By Mary Hightower
Cooperative Extension Service
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uaex.edu


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