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Arctic air causing current and future problems in Upper Midwest

The effects of subzero temperatures this week could still be felt on a cow/calf ranch in northern Minnesota for some time to come.

Miles Kuschel of Sebeka says temps got down to 25 below Tuesday morning.

“The cold weather presents a new set of challenges, and most of the challenges are keeping the livestock happy and healthy.”

He tells Brownfield that takes plenty of bedding and making sure the water stays thawed.

“I think the bigger challenge though is keeping the equipment running as more and more stuff gets automated and we have a lot of hydraulics and hydrostatic transmissions.”

He’s also concerned about what happens after the cold snap.

“Anyone that deals with water systems in the wintertime knows that typically when it thaws out and starts warming up, that’s when you see most of the trouble.”

And he says the lack of snow on his hay acres could lead to winterkill.

“That insulating effect (helps protect the crop). Not only that, but it also helps insulate your manual or electronic water.”

Kuschel tells Brownfield that snow cover provides insulation that protects from deep freeze.