Here in the Ozarks, folks have a saying: “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.”
Weather in this region can change on a dime, and if you are a farmer or a rancher, you know that changes in the weather can be cause for big problems. This is especially true for stormy winter weather. Winter can be a rough season on the farm for livestock, but with a little forethought and preparation, you and your animals will make it through the winter just fine.
Shelter
Shelter is one of the most crucial items to have on your winter storm preparedness checklist for your livestock. While animals may not always use the shelter, it is imperative that it is provided to them – sometimes a shelter can mean the difference between life or death for an animal on a sub-zero night. But you don’t want to wait until the wind is howling and the snow is falling to ready your livestock shelters; an article by Southern States Cooperative suggests, “Before it gets too cold, set up shelter or windbreak areas for animals kept outside. Inspect the roof and make sure it is stable enough to hold the heavy weight of snow and ice. Check for and repair any roof leaks. Before winter sets in, make sure your heaters are working properly and are located in spots with good ventilation.”
Bedding down your shelters with hay, straw, sawdust or wood shavings can provide added insulation and comfort for your livestock.
Water Sources
Everyone knows that watering livestock in the middle of a winter storm can be a real chore. If your animals water out of a pond, you might want to consider having a tank water source available as well – natural water sources can freeze over and take days to fully thaw. Before temperatures get to freezing, check your stock tank heaters to ensure that they are fully operational according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Investing in a good quality stock tank heater for the winter can save you and your animals a lot of grief! You’ll also want to observe your livestock as much as possible to make sure that they are drinking an adequate amount of water during the winter, and breaking the ice if necessary. Princeton Veterinary Hospital recommends checking water troughs twice a day as temperatures drop.
Dietary Needs
Livestock eat to keep warm, so providing a higher calorie intake needs to be a top priority during a winter storm. Free choice hay is one of the best things you can provide cattle, horses, sheep and other livestock – not only will the hay provide a steady food source, it will also provide them with warm bedding.
It is likely that supplements will need to be fed in addition to the hay. Many producers choose to get their herds on a supplement program to get through the winter; running a forage analysis on the hay you plan to feed prior to freezing winter weather can provide invaluable information on what your stock needs from their winter supplements. Eldon Cole, livestock specialist for the University of Missouri Extension notes that when it comes to forage, producers need to “test, don’t guess” to determine the dietary needs of livestock.
Doing chores in the middle of a winter storm is certainly no farmers favorite, but with a proper shelter, a stock tank heater and good feed, you and your livestock will get through the cold season unscathed.
