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Managing Cattle Through Winter Weather Conditions
Winter weather conditions often present challenges to cattle managers in the Northern Plains. Although we can’t alter the weather, there are management steps that can be taken to help maintain cattle health and performance.
2018 Annual Climate Summary
In 2018, South Dakota saw the typical weather extremes of all kinds. New Year’s Day 2018 started out with record cold temperatures and wind chills; the year ended with a blizzard on December 31, with a lot of extremes in between.
Dealing With Snowstorms for Cattle on Winter Range
Ranchers with cattle on winter pastures have a few management strategies to help them cope with the large snowstorms throughout the state.
Communication: Importance of Social Support in Agriculture
Maintaining open communication and seeking social support can help producers get through difficult times.
Are you ready for winter? ¿Està listo para el invierno?
The first winter experience can be a challenge if you don’t know what is ahead, except for that there will be snow and cold. Some simple tips will help you survive the snow, ice and low temperatures.
Cold Weather Challenges
In the event of extreme cold weather snaps, even cattlemen who have experience calving in these conditions may benefit from a review of recommendations as the calving season continues.
Managing Orphaned Calves
With careful management and proper nutrition, calves orphaned by challenging winter weather can perform similar to calves still on the cow.
Managing Light-Weight Calves
Weaning calves early is a powerful management tool to reduce demands on range and pasture.
How Often Should You Check Cows During Calving Season?
The routine “calving check” is one of the most important tasks on the list of beef cattle producers during calving season.
Keep Watch of Young Cows During Calving
Frequent observation of first-calf heifers and good recordkeeping around calving will give producers insight into which heifers are going to breed back and others that might need some extra care.