Cold, rainy weather could spell danger for cattle

Arkansas

A cattle expert with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service urges cattle producers to take extra precautions for their herds during cold, wet weather.

"Cattle could be negatively impacted because they are used to the recent warm weather. Cold, wet weather can hurt the cows' productivity," said Dr. Tom Troxel, professor and associate department head of extension's animal science section.

He said the bad weather could impact nearly a million cows in the state and hurt the bottom line for an estimated 27,000 beef cattle producers. Arkansas ranks 13th in the nation in beef cattle production.

Troxel urged cattle producers to make adjustments and try to protect their herds' health.

"Cold weather stimulates cows' appetites because they want to eat more to stay warm," he said. "If producers don't adjust their herd's feeding program to meet the animals' extra needs, they will mobilize their fat reserves. Most of our cows calve about this time of year, and now isn't the time you want them to lose body condition.

"What would happen is cows in poor body condition produce less milk than normal, and it takes them longer to rebreed for next year's calf crop," he said. "In essence, it affects production for two years. Because cows will breed later in 2007, their 2008 calves will have lower weaning weights."

Troxel said predictions of considerable rain with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s over the next several days, will severely stress cows and their calves.

"Cows and calves can absorb radiation from the sun in the daytime, and they'll get along fine on a sunny day, even if it's below freezing," he said. "The problem is when the sky is cloudy with cold, wet and windy conditions. Rain is worse than snow."

He recommended adjusting feed intake upwards by 3 percent to 8 percent during this period. It's critical that producers feed the correct sources of energy, usually grain or grain byproducts. Troxel said many producers like to feed grain byproducts because often they're cheaper than regular grain, and they contain a considerable energy value.

The negative part of feeding extra grain is that the price of corn delivered is about $4.50 a bushel, about $2 more than normal.

Another concern for producers over the next few days is for calves.

"This is a critical time because cows are calving," Troxel said, "and you don't want newborn calves to get chilled or they could die."

The specialist advised producers to move chilled calves out of the weather. He said they may need to rub the animals down with a towel which stimulates circulation, and they may have to use a heat lamp to help animals recover.

"Make sure the calf has access to colostrum," he said. "Farmers may have to provide an artificial source of colostrum, the first milk the calf gets from its mother. Colostrum is full of antibodies the calf needs."

Troxel also warned that if temperatures drop below freezing at night, farmers may need to break ice in the morning so cows can get access to water.

For more information about cattle production, contact your county extension agent or visit extension's website at www.uaex.edu. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

B

12

1/29/07

5 Star OK

Date: 1/25/07

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2009.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com