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Dairy farms still churning through arctic blast
A dairy extension educator says dairy farmers continuing to produce milk and care for their livestock through the record cold and snow moving across many parts of the country is a testament to their resilience.
Phil Durst with Michigan State University Extension says while cows are acclimated to winter conditions in major dairying regions, there are practical challenges extreme cold brings to the farm.
“It affects water lines, we have frozen waterers and water lines—that impacts things on the farm,” he says. “Manure freezes, there’s equipment problems, and there’s cold people.”
On the dairy farm, he says calves are most at risk from the cold.
“The wind chill can really take a lot out of them so the calves in hutches have the advantage of great ventilation, but the disadvantages of fighting the cold and trying to maintain a body temperature and we have to feed them extra,” he says.
Freestall barns Durst says have the advantage of closed curtains protecting animals from the elements, but says proper ventilation is critical.
“Cows breath moisture, manure gives off moisture, so there’s a lot of moisture that can accumulate in the air,” he says. “We still need to have good ventilation replacing inside air with outside air.”
He says all areas of barns needs to have good airflow to reduce respiratory issues and also recommends farmers encourage employees to take warming breaks as they battle arctic temperatures.