Weather and Cows

Weather and Cows

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Oh, What a winter it has been. We are reminded of the catastrophic loss of cattle in the state of Washington and while we would like to believe Spring is coming and winter may be on the way out, storms can still bring unexpected snow or even blizzards. No one needs to be reminded of the bizarre twists and turns that our planet is producing, weatherwise, including the recent 'Bomb cyclone that brought blizzards, flooding and hurricane-force winds to the central part of our country. If you're raising cattle, particularly young ones, this type of weather can be a lot more than a travel hazard.

Veterinarian Dr. Rebecca Funk, says with some planning livestock producers can help new calves in severe weather:

Another issue from late winter storms is when rain turns to snow. Funk says rain followed by snow can be a problem for the pregnant cows. The calving season is underway, with some cows waiting to give birth and others already having calved. Funk says there are some issues to keep an eye on after storms roll through a herd with still very young calves. Funk says, watching the weather and getting cows to a wind shelter or making sure they have enough to eat can make a big difference when calving this season.

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