By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — As temperatures fall and the first of the season’s winter storms blow through the Midwest, experts caution livestock and pet owners to be prepared for unpredictable weather.

“Both pets and livestock react to harsh conditions, and it’s imperative that owners plan ahead and take extra steps to ensure the health and safety of their animals,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) State Veterinarian Dr. Steve Halstead.

Michigan state law requires that owners provide an adequate supply of feed and water for their animals, as well as shelter from the wind and other severe conditions. Halstead said this can be challenging for people as the nation’s economy continues to be sluggish.
“Generally speaking, the state of the economy is challenging owners in their ability to properly care for their animals,” Halstead said. He urged animal owners to contact their local animal shelter or humane society if they need assistance.

Halstead said companion animals, particularly dogs and cats, are impacted by severe winter weather, and that animals kept indoors may have great difficulty adjusting to outdoor winter temperatures. In addition, animal owners should be cautious to provide access to water and shelter and also to protect pets from chemicals such as those used for de-icing and antifreeze.

Clean, thawed water is the number-one nutrient requirement for all animals. As winter progresses, it can be difficult for livestock and pet owners to fulfill this basic need.

Dan Grooms, Michigan State University associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, said it is critical that livestock and pet owners check their animals’ water source daily to ensure it is suitable for consumption.
“Water needs don’t change as the weather changes, and they may even go up as the weather gets colder,” Grooms said. “Making sure an adequate supply of water is available and accessible all of the time needs to be a priority.”

Grooms said going without water increases stress and disease pressure in animals.

“I’ve seen severe disease problems that have been precipitated by long periods of time where water was frozen and not available to cattle,” Grooms said.

Another concern, especially in Michigan’s bovine tuberculosis zone in the upper part of the Lower Peninsula and in its Upper Peninsula, is maintaining surface water sources for livestock.

“On occasion, people will maintain surface water sources – say in a pond – so that cattle or other animals can drink out of that area. That water source may become a water source for other species, especially animals that carry other diseases,” Grooms said.
Other general livestock precautions include increasing feed to provide the energy that bodies need to stay warm, providing shelter to allow animals to escape wind and heavy snow and using caution around icy areas to prevent falls and injuries.

“Cattle are very cold tolerant, but things that will increase heat loss are wind and precipitation,” Grooms said.

In the Midwest where large snowfalls often occur, Grooms said producers also should be careful that their animals don’t become trapped in the snow.

“They can be buried, not able to get to food, or suffocate,” he said.
Purdue University Extension Beef Specialist Ron Lemenager said providing a wind break is essential during the winter months.
“In the case of large animals – cattle in particular – providing a wind break, either man-made or natural, can reduce cold stress,” Lemenager said.

Wind, combined with cold temperatures, increases an animal’s nutrient requirements. Lemenager said the amount of energy required by livestock goes up by 13 percent for each 10-degree drop in temperature and wind chill below 30 degrees, for cattle that are in moderate body condition with a dry winter hair coat. It goes up by 30 percent if a cow is thin, has a summer hair coat, or is wet.
According to Lemenager, a one-day weather event isn’t cause for concern. However, prolonged conditions mean livestock owners must make some adjustments in their feeding plan.

“Putting out an extra bale of hay isn’t going to get it – you have to provide some extra energy dense feed, such as corn or soybean hulls,” he said.

Plus, as winter progresses, producers must consider the quality of their feed.

“We experienced a drought in Indiana this year,” Lemenager said, which means that farmers “have to make some hard decisions” about whether to purchase additional feed or cull animals this winter.
“We have high feed costs, and in our case maybe even a short supply of forage components. We’ve had producers feeding hay since the middle of August. When you start feeding hay at that point, you start to dip into your winter feed supply,” he said.
“We’re getting a lot of calls from producers asking about feed alternatives,” Lemenager said. “They’re considering how they can cut their daily feeds costs and still meet the nutritional requirements of their animals.”