By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Cold weather is expected in winter, but even places accustomed to it are seeing the coldest weather in years, as much of the country experienced an arctic deep freeze last week.
Temperatures dropped to just below zero in many areas of Kentucky, with wind chills into the -10 degree range, prompting wind chill advisories, livestock alerts and closed school systems.

The Northern Kentucky Health Department issued a cold weather alert on Jan. 12 announcing the availability of a cold weather shelter. Steven R. Katkowsky, M.D., district director of health, warned citizens to take care of themselves and each other.

 “Hypothermia can occur when individuals are exposed to cool or cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time,” he said.

“Those who are at risk include the elderly, babies sleeping in cold rooms, people with chronic illnesses, people who cannot afford to heat their homes properly and people who remain outdoors during severe weather for extended periods of time, such as construction workers, the homeless, hikers, hunters and children playing in the snow.

“If you have neighbors, friends or loved ones who fall into a high-risk group for hypothermia, visit or call to see how they are doing. Make sure they are aware of precautions to take during frigid temperatures. You may save their lives.”

The alert offered tips to protect oneself against the elements, including “to stay dry, eat well-balanced meals and avoid alcohol and nicotine prior to and during exposure.”

For those outside, the alert advised to wear multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing; a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover the face and mouth; sleeves that are snug at the wrist; water-resistant coat; mittens or gloves (mittens are warmer than gloves); and water-resistant shoes or boots.

Indoor precautions include wearing multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing; sleeping in warm clothing or using blankets; and for those 65 years of age or older, placing a thermometer in an indoor location where they will see it often. Ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age.

While the weather was the coldest in Kentucky for many years, it still wasn’t the coldest ever. The record low in the state was recorded Jan. 19, 1994, at -37 degrees in Shelbyville.

But even that couldn’t compare to the cold felt in North Dakota last week. National Weather Service reported a record low of -44 degrees at Bismarck, which broke a 38-year record of -36 degrees, set Jan. 15, 1971. And that didn’t include the wind chill.

So what does a farmer with livestock do in weather like that? According to North Dakota State University extension service beef cattle specialist Greg Lardy, cold stress increases the energy requirements of cattle. He offered these tips for producers during cold weather:

*Provide protection from the wind. Cattle can acclimate to colder temperatures, but wind exposure increases their energy requirements. Providing some form of man-made or natural wind protection will help.

*Provide bedding during extreme cold. Frostbite is a real danger when the mercury falls. Providing bedding will reduce the possibility of frostbite.

While newborn animals are at the greatest risk of frostbite, adult animals also can be affected in extremely cold conditions. Extremities such as ears, tails and feet can be susceptible to frostbite. In addition, teats and scrotums also can be frozen.

*Provide additional energy. Cold and wind increase the animals’ energy requirements. A rule of thumb to consider is that a cow’s energy requirement can increase by 1 percent for every degree below 32 degrees (including wind chill). One way cattle compensate for colder weather is to increase feed intake.

Cows, however, have a physical limit on how much they can consume. Once that point is reached, they will need better-quality feeds and supplements to compensate for the increased energy requirement. When adding energy in the form of cereal grains, be sure to meet the cows’ protein needs as well.

*Thin cows are more susceptible to cold stress. If possible, sort off thin cows and feed them separately.