News

Severe cold hard on newborn calves

Cattle producers across the Midwest are having a difficult time at the start of calving season because of record cold temperatures mixed with snow and ice. The president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association says the recent sub-zero temperatures have caused some cattle producers to lose newborn calves.

But Patty Wood tells Brownfield producers are keeping a close watch over their herds.

“They’re outside all day long and I had someone say, ‘you mean you have to be out all day in all of this?’ if that’s what it takes, that’s what we’ll do,” she said.

Wood said its critical to provide plenty of warmth to a newborn calf for at least the first 24 hours.

“It’s hard because when a baby calf is just born, they’re wet,” she said. “You’ve got to be able to be right there at that point because in negative temperatures, those calves aren’t going to have what they need at that moment.”

Wood encourages producers to reach out to a neighbor or their association if they need help and says spring is just around the corner.