It's official...farmers are crazy! Winter has officially hit in Northeast Kansas. Hopefully it hasn't set in for the season, but it is definitely giving us a sneak peak as to what is coming.
We were given our first snow of the season on Saturday. Thankfully, it wasn't very deep and didn't stick to the ground, but it's still been a good heads up to prepare for the winter. Since about Wednesday of this last week, it has been very very cold! It went from T-Shirt weather on Monday to layers upon layers of clothing for Tuesday. It hasn't been much above freezing or at all since. This means cattle are needing a lot more care. Like my dad explained to me when I was a little girl riding around in the tractor with him. Cattle need hay in the winter because they have furnaces inside their stomachs and without hay that furnace doesn't burn. But when they eat hay, it allows the furnace to keep running and that's how cows keep warm during the winter. Okay, that's not true-there's no furnace, but it gives a good illustration.
As a cattle producer I hate seeing the cattle out in the cold weather. However, cattle are equipped to be out in the weather as long as we, as cattle producers prepare the cattle for the weather coming. For example, during cold weather producers increase the amount of feed fed to livestock to increase their metabolism which in turn produces more body heat for the cattle.
Another thing that producers do is provide windbreaks. Just like us, we can stand a colder temperature as long as their isn't a bitter wind blowing. A good wind break is a essential for cattle to withstand the cold for multiple days. Wind breaks don't have to be fancy or anything incredible, just something for cattle to get behind. A lot of producers in NE KS use the natural shelter in the pastures such as the trees.
Next, water availability. A lot of producers rely on ponds during the summer to water their cattle and let them cool off. However, during the winter we like to shut the ponds off so the cattle can't get in to them. Cattle can get on those ponds and fall through and freeze to death if you don't catch them in time. This means there has to be another water source. This could mean an automatic waterer or a running stream or creek. For cattle in a more confined area this could mean a water tank that has to have ice broke on them everyday. Whatever the water source, it's very important for producers to keep the water open and available to cattle so they don't go in search of water and get into dangerous situations. Water is also important for health reasons. Remember, the cattle are eating more and just like us when we eat more, we want more to drink. Cattle need this as well.
What's next? Feed, water, and shelter. All things that producers can provide for their cattle. But what do cattle do for warmth for themselves? When winter sets in, cattle (just like your pets) develop a thicker hair coat. This hair coat naturally insulates them from the wind and cold weather like snow. Cattle gather together to get group body heat. These two natural reactions can prevent cattle from succumbing to the cold.
So while it is very cold outside, producers are doing everything they can to provide for their cattle and keep them warm. Please be careful with your pets and outside animals. Make sure they have the same things that we're providing to our cattle, shelter, food, water. I hear there is a warmup in the nearish future. I hope it gets here and gives us a chance to adjust to the cold temperature rather than just shocking our systems.
An update from Matt's grandpa that is in the hospital. I haven't been to see him for a little while, but Matt saw him this week. He's doing much better! He got the tube out of his nose that was pumping his stomach out and is starting to eat and drink again. He's a lot more alert and interested in what's going on on the farm. Long road left, but he's doing much better!
Another side note, I was telling my dear Forever about the blogs that were the most read. He says it all depends on the title and how good the title is. So, the title this week is all his! We're doing an experiment on who has the better blog titles.
Again, I welcome any questions you may have regarding this blog or any of my others. Hope you have a great week and stay warm!!
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