Cold Weather Tips To Protect Workers and Livestock

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The weather channels are calling for frigid temperatures for Maine this weekend. Here are some links with tips to protect workers and livestock from cold weather. Also, some tips on what to do to prevent and repair frozen pipes. 

The message and reminders seem simple, even with various farms and management approaches.

• Contented animals still require all the basics and a familiar pattern: consistent good feed, fresh, clean water, adequate access to shelter (especially if windy, cold, or wet), dry bedding, good traction in outdoor runs, and proper ventilation, and, if possible, some sunlight too.
• Know that animals may eat more, and need more frequent check-ins by people during atypical weather. Be extra observant if anything seems amiss – for example, an animal is hanging back, not eating, looks and acts lethargic etc.
  • Ruminants and equines get extra body heat from gut bacteria digesting hay.
• Use common sense and do what you can to reduce adding another stressor to the farm environment. For example:
  • If an animal goes to drink at approximately the same time each morning or afternoon, be sure their water is not frozen when they go to drink. Address it before it becomes an issue.
  • Younger animals might not have the same body conditioning – they might require extra bedding and possibly more protection from the cold, such as calf or kid and lamb blankets and/or ear muffs, so long as they stay dry.
  • Take care of yourself, too – dress appropriately, wear layers and protect your extremities. Stay dry. Take frequent breaks to warm up throughout the day when working outside.

Some links for more information: 

For the farmer:

• Ten Tips to Stay Safe Farming in Maine Winter – UMaine Extension
• Farm Safety Check: Working in the Cold - Upper Midwest Ag Safety & Health Center - 
• Cold Stress (in people) - Ohio State University
• Protecting Workers From Cold Stress - OSHA

General Livestock Care:

• Watch Livestock for Hypothermia and Frostbite– ND Extension
• Winter Animal Care – Michigan State Ext

Chickens: 

• Frostbite in Chickens– eXtension
• Winter Care of Laying Hens #2217– UMaine Extension

Dairy & Beef Cattle:

• Cold Weather Strategies for Cattlemen- Iowa State Ext
• Cold Stress Impacts on Cattle - South Dakota State Extension
• Severe Cold Weather Rangeland and Livestock Considerations – SD Ext.
• Managing Dairy Cattle in Cold Weather- Minnesota Extension

Equines: 

• Winter Care of Equines- UMaine Extension YouTube Video  

Sheep & Goats: 

• Winter Management Tips for Sheep and Goats- Ohio State Extension

Preventing and Repairing Damage:

• Winter Storms: Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes– Texas A&M
• Protecting Water from Freezing– Iowa State Extension
• Livestock Disaster Plan - USDA

Additional links:

• https://www.maine.gov/mema/home
• https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather
• https://nasdonline.org/search.php?query=cold 
• https://www.ready.gov/business
• https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/default.html
• https://www.weather.gov/gyx
• www.211maine.org

By: Donna Coffin and Jason Lilley, University of Maine Cooperative Extension; and Anne Trenholm, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry