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Caring for livestock in extreme cold

Frigid conditions sweeping across the Upper Midwest can endanger livestock.

West-central Minnesota cow/calf producer Jim Wulf says cold requires calories.

“Make sure they have adequate feed to keep them warm.  The other thing you have to do even before the cold hits is make sure the cows are in good body condition scores.”

Body Condition Scores (BCS) are numbers ranging from 1 to 9 used to estimate energy reserves in the form of fat and muscle.

Wulf raises cattle near Starbuck, where air temperatures dropped to -10 degrees this Tuesday morning.  He tells Brownfield providing fresh water is another priority during extreme cold.

“And then of course keep them out of the wind and give them a nice, dry place to lay.  Make sure their hair coat stays dry.  A dry, hard coat insulates well, where a wet hair coat does not.”

Wulf points out cattle are built to adapt to the cold, but recommends moving the animals frequently to help them keep warm.