As I am writing this, we are in a blizzard warning. Weather like this makes me so much more appreciate of modern technology in dairying. Every farm preps for the cold, snow and winter weather a little differently. We like to be responsive versus reactive. One of the biggest things to keep in mind for both cows and calves is that their energy requirements are a lot higher because of the cold. This means feed and water are watched very carefully to make sure they’re getting enough, and more if they need it.
Calves are prepped extra carefully for the cold. They get:
- Blankets
- Bedded with a deep pack of dry straw
- Milk temperature when fed is at 101 – 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This is standard actually but with the cold extra staff is on-hand to help feed them quickly so the milk stays warm enough.
How we prep other areas of the farm during the cold:
- Seal up what you can – curtains, garage doors, hutches, sheds, etc.
- Make sure the heaters in waterers are working beforehand
- Have salt sand on hand for areas like the holding area and around the waterers that are prone to ice up
- Park equipment in a shed. Luckily we have a heated shop that fits all of the daily important equipment. If nothing else, make sure machinery is plugged in.
While this may seem obvious to most people, make sure everyone is dressed appropriately. We’ve had some employees who have never experienced a Wisconsin winter. This means they needed to be supplied with long underwear, wool socks, overalls, and warm gloves.
One last tip is to double feed if you can. We do this before snowstorms so the next morning can be spent plowing and moving snow.
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