Each time of year brings its beauty and hardships with it . While summertime can be a challenge with the deficiency of rain and heat , wintertime has its own set of challenge . Last twelvemonth , we had such a insensate spell in Kansas that the guy wire could be find out driving through the cows pen unwind wheat Basel . Before they even finished unrolling them , the oxen already bedded down in the straw to enjoy the insulation it offered .
About this time of year , I bulge out cause a genial leaning of affair that call for to be shoot caution of before the bitter cold hits . For me , they ’re unremarkably task around the menage and smaller Job . But you may do several things to ensure your cattle will make it through the insensate months .
Preparation
This really applies to about any area of your homestead . But staying prepare for the approaching seasons can be a lifesaver . When the snow or cold is so bitter , you want to be outdoors as short as potential !
A few canonical things that can help your operation include :
Read more : Considering cattle ? Here are 7 reasons to start your own ruck !
Body Condition
trunk conditionwhen steer into winter is extremely important for your oxen . If you have cows that will be calving later in the winter ( spring calving ) , it is especially decisive that they go into the colder calendar month well conditioned .
Watch to verify they do n’t go into the colder calendar month too flimsy .
Acclimation
One of the hardest seasons for cows to handle is the transition from declivity to wintertime . The day are strong , and the nights are cool — if not cold . This back and forth between hot and cold wears down their resistant systems and can make them much more susceptible to illness .
While there is not much you could do to change the weather condition , just keep on top of treating any animal that looks like it might be on the edge of getting demented . And do n’t overfeed them at this fourth dimension . Do your good to keep them well-heeled and offer passel of sweet water .
Feed & Water
Bos taurus can only eat so much feed , so during the winter it ’s important to verify their provender ration is filled with even more nutrient - rich food to get all the Calorie into them you could . Just like people , it claim more energy to keep a body warm when it ’s acid dusty alfresco . Cold strain , wet , snow , etc . can all add superfluous strain that we do n’t typically have during summertime . Corn silage and grain are both good options to add on their feed with .
Even though it ’s cold , you ’ll still desire to ensure the kine have raft of overbold , clean urine to drink .
Read more : Here are some key thing to keep in creative thinker when putting cattle out on forage .
Windbreak
Kansas winters can include a bitter North wind that will cut flop through a person . Cattle stuck out in these wintertime elements ca n’t add another pelage or curl up under a wool blanket . So they rely on us to aid offer them option to get out of the wind instrument and bitter common cold .
A shelterbelt can be a three - sided edifice that faces away from the tip , a group of trees , round Basle , or a fence that is delineate with tin that they can stand up against .
Bedding
If your cows are very accented or it ’s extremely cold out , you may hit the hay them down with a overnice stratum of stubble to try and help mitigate the stress . New calves fetch in from a very warm mood to a much colder climate can get especially stressed .
If Bos taurus are come from a climate that ’s much colder than yours , however , make certain to offer plentifulness of refreshful water and tint .
Overall , do your unspoilt to work ahead and ensure you have extra supplies , plenty of feed and options in showcase it gets bitingly insensate . You ca n’t plan for everything that might happen , but as the saying last , if you fail to prepare , prepare to bomb !
