After The Storm

After The Storm December 31, 2015 It’s not a matter of if an impactful blizzard will hit certain regions of the country, it’s just a matter of when. Developments in meteorology have allowed producers to prepare for such storms well in advance. The more challenging impacts, however, typically don’t occur until the storm has passed. A combination of nutrition and health practices can help mitigate death loss and illness. Nutrition: Water. Water is a critical nutrient that must be available for health. Livestock will eat snow, but this should not be considered an adequate source to get them through a storm. Logistics can make it very difficult to keep water clear during severe cold snaps. Solar water heaters or temporary confinement to smaller more manageable pastures can help producers better manage water. Additionally, health can be monitored more closely. Supplemental Feed Long stem hay is the desired option for supplemental feed during a storm event. Higher fiber feeds generate more internal body heat for the animal. Long stem hay in particular also allows for good digestive health. Hay quality should be considered. If quality is suspect; with protein levels below 8% crude protein, additional protein should be provided. Health The biggest challenge producers will face after a major storm is animal health. If animals were exposed to high winds and blowing snow, there is a good chance they inhaled a fair amount of snow. They may survive the storm, but their risk of developing pneumonia is high. The decision then becomes how to manage sickness. There are two basic options. First, would be to closely monitor the cattle and treat as needed. Or, mass treat all high risk animals (young calves, older cows and bulls, or wheat pasture cattle (cattle with no weather protection)) with a long acting antibiotic. The benefit of mass treatment is to not only provide protection against respiratory issues, but the practice may also help assist heal any infections developed due to frost bite, foot rot, or pink eye. Producers should consult their veterinarian on product use before making that health management decision. Additionally, records should be taken as to medication and withdrawal dates at the time of administration. Bulls and cows should be evaluated before breeding in the spring. Severe frost bite of the testicles can impair fertility in the bull. In the cow, if she suffers frost bite of the bag, she could experience reduced milk production or have an increased risk of mastitis. Prevention is always best. If cattle are dry, they can withstand very low temperatures. Wind exposure and dampness, however, will increase their stress and risk for sickness. Windbreaks or shelters should be considered in regions where blizzards are common. The windbreaks man be more desirable than shelters in some cases, as cattle will not over crowd or trample young calves. Marcy Ward, PhD NMSU Livestock Specialist