Winter goes on and on

Posted 1/20/09 (Tue)

As winter rages on, McHenry County Extension Agent Raquel Dugan Dibble has some timely advice for cattlemen and offered some tips to keep cattle healthy and safe.
“The extreme cold and record snowfall in North Dakota has been hard on cattle and cattle producers this winter,” she noted.  “Cold stress increases the energy requirements of cattle.”Provide protection from the wind. Cattle can acclimate to colder temperatures, but wind exposure increases their energy requirements. Providing some form of man-made or natural wind protection will help.
• Provide bedding during extreme cold. Frostbite is a real danger when the mercury falls. Providing bedding will reduce the possibility of frostbite. While newborn animals are at the greatest risk of frostbite, adult animals also can be affected in extremely cold conditions. Extremities such as ears, tails and feet can be susceptible to frostbite. In addition, teats and scrotums also can be frozen.