Reducing animals’ stress during cold periods is a key goal

Livestock producers are entering a time of year that, because of winter weather, can often be challenging for maintaining the health of their herds, but a host of management steps and best practices can help to get the animals through the tough times.

“Talking to a regional climatologist, we foresee a lot of fluctuation in weather,” said A.J. Tarpoff, a beef veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension. “The fluctuations from warm to cold are stressful on any animal, so you have to be ready for that fluctuation.

“If it gets cold and it stays cold, we can manage that very easily. The animals get used to the cold, dry environment. But when we start mixing warm to cold, and a little bit of moisture – in other words, we combine wind, cold and a wet animal — that leads to a little bit of trouble.”

Livestock that can be housed indoors — such as chickens, swine and dairy cattle – may be protected from severe elements, but keeping them properly ventilated can be challenging.

“It’s hard to keep the fans and the ventilation adjusted appropriately because the incoming air is still somewhat warmer during the day, but then it cools off during the night as we get the different weather fronts coming through,” said Joel DeRouchey, a livestock specialist with K-State Research and Extension.

DeRouchey notes that fluctuations in indoor temperatures can cause mortalities in herds because the animals get stressed from the roller-coaster shifts.

“It’s just like humans, from the standpoint if they’re going through any stress, changes in the outside temperature leads to humans developing respiratory challenges,” he said. “It’s the same for livestock, whether they’re inside or outside.

“The most important thing is maintaining a constant temperature. The goal is to bring animals inside to protect them from the elements, so we need to make sure our ventilation systems are managed correctly to provide that ideal environment.”

DeRouchey said that indoor ventilation also is important to keep air moisture, odor and nitrogen levels low. For animals kept outside in feedlots, Tarpoff said one key is to provide dry bedding.

“Cattle have the right winter coat for cold weather, but whenever it starts to get windy, wet and cold, especially on frozen ground, the cattle want to find a nice, dry area to lie down and rest,” he said.

“Bedding those pens, giving them the opportunity to lie down and rest decreases the stress on those cattle and allows them to increase their comfort level so they can perform at a high rate even in stressful conditions.”

Tarpoff added that a box scraper is an important part of the equation in feedlots. Pens should be scraped routinely to level frozen areas, which will help to reduce foot injuries and the reluctance of animals to move to feed and water.

In outdoor pastures, the two K-State specialists suggest portable windbreaks, which provide shelter and can help with basic biosecurity.

“When cattle congregate in one area of the pasture for a long period of time, you build up environmental contaminates from manure,” Tarpoff said. “So move the portable windbreaks to different locations in the pasture so that you decrease the environmental contamination, which is especially important for newborn calves and control of scours.”

DeRouchey notes that portable windbreaks can force cattle to walk out of low areas to water and feed.

“It doesn’t hurt those cows to walk out of those low areas,” he said. “From an environmental standpoint, once we start providing a lot of feed or stationary feeders in those low areas, the manure buildup and the sanitation degrades really fast.”

During severe cold periods, producers need to feed a little more hay or other forage so that the animals’ natural heat source – the rumen – can do its work. Cattle may be fed near windbreaks during times of extreme cold and snow, but DeRouchey notes that shouldn’t happen very often during the season.

Tarpoff added that water is equally important for livestock in the winter months as it is in the summer months.

“They are eating a lot more, so they need to be able to drink a lot more to balance the body’s homeostasis,” he said. “Check waterers regularly that they are not frozen over, there’s plenty of flow, and there’s plenty of volume for animals to drink from. A frozen tank can be detrimental to any livestock operation.”

The two K-State specialists also shared some ideas to help producers get themselves through the colder months. Specific to the upcoming calving season, one tip is to feed cattle in the evenings.

“Changing our feeding strategies to the evening hours, right at dusk, will increase the number of calves born during the daylight hours, which is when the producers are out checking those cattle more regularly,” Tarpoff said.

DeRouchey also reminded producers to make sure flashlights are in working order, and store extra batteries and clothing in case they get stranded or need to be out for extended periods in cold and snowy weather.

Story by:

Pat Melgares

[email protected]

K-State Research and Extension

www.ksre.ksu.edu

For more information:

Joel DeRouchey, [email protected], 785-532- 2280

AJ Tarpoff, [email protected], 785-532- 1255

Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District, Director & Agent

Polls show that 88 percent of Americans make at least one New Year’s resolution. While resolutions can be as unique as the individual, the most popular resolutions are to eat healthier (55%), exercise more (50%), and lose weight (38%).

Although made with good intentions, most people fail to follow through in keeping their goals for the New Year. But that doesn’t mean our farmers and ranchers can’t be among the 20% of people who do actually achieve success with their resolutions.

Slow down.  Farmers are notorious for being in a rush – always too much to do and not enough time to get it done. I realize a farmer’s day doesn’t always go according to schedule, but if you can slow down you may save yourself time in the long run. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Get organized. Get a new notepad or calendar to keep track of breeding dates, birthing dates, and dates that vaccinations were given. Personal experience says the intent to just remember that tag number and write it down once in the house is often forgotten. A handy calendar in the pickup or barn will encourage those things to be written down immediately.

Learn from past mistakes. I am guessing that many of us have something we wish we could change from the past year.  Whether it be remembering a birthday or communicating to family or employees, try to avoid making the same mistake twice. Think about one decision you would change from the past year and make and create a plan to correct it for 2018.

Create a marketing plan. This could be for either a crops or livestock operation. Will you be ready to price grain when you reach your price objective? Do you have a price objective? Can you market your cattle in a more efficient manner and gain more profits? If you have a plan, you will be more prepared when the markets change.

Eat healthier. I am certainly not a nutritionist, but it doesn’t take one to tell you that a can of soda is not healthy. Look for ways to eat healthier and drink plenty of water. You are a valuable resource to your farming operation and to your family.

Change one thing. Surely there is something on your farm or ranch that you’ve intended to correct or fix. Maybe the fence is in need of drastic repair, or the driveway needs a new load of gravel. Either way, find that one thing that you’ve intended to do and get it done. Commit to having it accomplished by a specific date and stick to it.

Spend time with family.  Kids grow fast and whether you are a parent or grandparent you surely realize the most precious gift is time. As the kid of a farmer, I can tell you that spending any time with Dad is valuable.  Give them a ride in the pickup on the way to the field or let them ride in the passenger seat of the tractor or combine. While you have some one-on-one time, talk to them and slow down enough to listen. This advice is good for your spouse too!

Learn something new. Living in the technology age, there really isn’t a good excuse for not knowing what is going on in the world around you. If you haven’t figured out how to use the internet, ask someone to show you how. You will be amazed at the information and resources available to you.

Another year has passed, and here we are at the beginning of 2018. This is surely to be a year of many good memories and experiences. For me, I hope it is a year of Patience – my personal resolution to make me a better mom, wife, friend and co-worker. Happy New Year!

Submitted by Krista Harding, Southwind Distrist

The Kansas Forest Service is offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase again this year. These seedlings are to be used in conservation plantings, such as home/livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, habitats for game birds and wildlife, barriers to reduce noise pollution, blocking ugly views, marking property lines and creating habitat for songbirds.

These plants are 1 or 2 years old, and their sizes vary from 5 to 18 inches, depending on species. Most of the trees are bare-root seedlings, however some are available as container-grown seedlings such as Ponderosa pine and Southwestern white pine. Some of the deciduous trees that are available include: bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud and sycamore. Shrubs available include American plum, choke cherry, lilac and sand hill plum.

This is not a complete listing of available trees and not all trees are recommended for this area. The Kansas Forest Service also offers tree “bundles” for purchase. The bundles offer a variety of trees designed to attract songbirds or quail. For example, the Songbird bundle contains 18 trees and shrubs selected for their attractiveness to songbirds. The Songbird bundle does not contain sufficient plants to meet all of the needs of songbirds, but once established, the bundle will create a small island of plants that will provide some year-round cover and supplemental food during late summer, fall and winter. This will attract birds for your enjoyment.

Not certain what you would like to order? Then stop by the Extension office and pick up a brochure that has color pictures of various trees and shrubs at maturity. Orders for conservation trees are accepted now through the first full week of May, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees. Order forms and price sheets are available at the Southwind District Extension Office in Erie, Iola and Fort Scott, or can be mailed or e-mailed.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244- 3826.

Submitted by Christopher Petty

Southwind Extension District farmers and ranchers have learning opportunities available this winter.

Southwind Extension District Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management, Christopher Petty, will be offering several programs of interest to farmers and ranchers in and around Bourbon, Allen and Neosho Counties during the upcoming winter months.

On February 13, beginning at 6 p.m. the Southwind and Wildcat Extension Districts will host a Winter Ranch Management Series meeting at the community building in Helper, Kan. Topics may include heifer selection, fall burning pastures for weed control, and bud box animal handling systems. Cost to attend will be $10 payable at the door.

On March 3, beginning at 3 p.m., the new K-State Research and Extension Sheep Specialist, Dr. Allison Crane, will be at the 4-H building in Fort Scott to meet with area sheep producers. She will discuss what Kansas State University offers by way of services to sheep producers. This program will be free to the public.

On April 4, the Southwind District will host a fescue meeting. We will discuss fescue endophytes, fertilization and other management considerations. This will be an evening program with the location to be determined and will feature Southeast Area Agronomist Doug Shoup, among others.

Additional tentatively scheduled programs include a January program featuring Kansas State University Poultry Specialist, Dr. Scott Beyer. Dr. Beyer will explain what it would look like to be a contract poultry grower, should a large poultry processing facility move into Kansas.

The longstanding coffee series meetings may also continue this winter. Come enjoy a free coffee, tea or pop, and learn about current ideas and happenings in the cattle industry. This brief, informal gathering is tentatively scheduled to take place this winter at the café located in the Southeast Kansas Stockyard in Gas, Kan.

These programs are in various stages of planning. To keep up to date with the most current details of these programs including the dates, times, locations and fees, check out the livestock link on the Southwind District website located at http://www.southwind.k-state.edu.