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https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/

Jan. 8, 2025

Cold Weather Animal Care

It looks like more winter weather is on the way, along with some cold temps. 

Water

A big concern in colder weather conditions, is adequate water consumption. Water is a critical nutrient to maintaining body heat. A common practice is to add a heater to your stock tank, but then stray electrical currents are a concern. Checking your heating elements in your water troughs can be vital to adequate water consumption in the winter. If you don't have access to power, "a continuous flow valve could be installed to prevent freezing. This also requires an overflow directing water away from the tank to prevent mud." (https://grazer.ca.uky.edu/winter-watering-livestock) A freeze-miser is one example of these. Typically, the larger your stock tank, the longer that it will take it to freeze, but they still need to be checked and ice busted at a minimum of twice a day. 

Feed

Your animals need adequate nutrition to thermo-regulate. If your hay is low quality the animals will likely become full before they consume enough to meet their energy requirements. Animals can starve to death with a full belly. The outdoor temperature, the wind chill, their hair coat, their body condition score, shelter/barn, mud, and wet hide all affect their energy needs. There is nothing worse than a cold, wet rain while standing in mud. Learn more at https://wayne.osu.edu/news/winter-weather-and-livestock-nutrition. Consider increasing their energy during cold periods in addition to free-range hay, especially if stock is wet. 

Cattle: https://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/newsletter-archive/livestock/aps-01_02/aps-0311.html

Horses: https://polk.ces.ncsu.edu/2023/01/winter-feeding-practices-for-horses/

Sheep and Goats: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/animals-forages/sheep-goats/nutritionrequirements_web.pdf

Bedding

Newborns need adequate bedding during these cold snaps. "Youngins" need to “nest” down into fluffy, dry bedding to stay warm. In cold weather a bedding score of 3 is best. 

• Score 1 – Most of the animals appear to lie on top of bedding with legs exposed.
• Score 2 – Nestled slightly into bedding, part of legs visible above bedding.
• Score 3 – Nestled deeply, legs not visible

 Consider using a jacket as an alternative, especially if the ground is frozen. Typically a jacket adds a bedding nesting score. An old sweatshirt may work for calves, while the sleeve may work on lambs or kids. You may need to make a few tucks in it to make it fit appropriately. Learn more at https://extension.psu.edu/using-calf-jackets-to-avoid-heat-loss

As a rule of thumb, calf jackets can add an additional bedding score! (From Marissa Heke, Calf Vet)

Heat Lamps

You probably have at least considered the idea of putting a heat lamp over any newborns with these frigid temperatures. Proceed with caution and take into account these heat lamp tips:

• Use a quality, enclosed heat lamp
• Use high-quality bulbs
• Secure the bulb
• Don’t use bulbs over 250W
• Secure the lamp to a panel 20″ or more above the ground
• Use an Arc Fault Interrupter breaker
• Keep a fire extinguisher near the door
• Install a loud smoke detector

Blanketing Animals

Horses and young ruminants may benefit from a blanket if:

• the temperature is below 50 degrees F

• the forecast is for rain, sleet, or snow and/or the wind chill is below 15 degrees F

• your horse doesn't have access to a shed

• is thin/old/or very young

• AND is dry! (never blanket a wet animal)

NCD 4-H Rabbit Show

The 2025 North Central District 4-H Poultry and Rabbit Show will be held Saturday, March 15, at the Forsyth County Agricultural Building, 1450 Fairchild Road Winston-Salem, NC 27105. The show is for youth ages 5-18 (as of 1/1/2025).

Youth ages 5-18 that wish to show their own rabbit should register before January 17 and pay your $5 registration fee to their county Cooperative Extension Center. In addition to showing their rabbit, youth ages 8-18 should also complete a 4-H Project Record Book.

Learn more and register at go.ncsu.edu/ncdpoultryrabbitshow.

RSVP TODAY for Jan. Cattlemen's Meeting

Please RSVP today to reserve your seat and/or brisket and BBQ meal for Thursday, January 9 at at 6:30pm at Mitchell's Butchery, 2678 NC-89, Walnut Cove, NC 27052 In Meadows. 

We plan to discuss Mitchell's expansion plans, advantages and challenges with statewide increase in slaughter capacity, and opportunities for farmers to increase revenue.  This includes marketing branded beef, local beef sales on a commercial scale, and gaining more price control locally.  

The meal is free for 2025 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association members, and $20 for non-members. Dues are $25 for the year. The meal is sponsored by Mitchell's and includes brisket, barbecue, with sides. RSVP by calling 336-593-8179 (our office will be closed Jan. 6-8 for N.C. Extension Conference, but you can leave a message), by email to awbowman@ncsu.edu with the number in your party, or at https://go.ncsu.edu/scca.

Minutes from the December meeting can be viewed here. 

REMINDERS

Winter Feeding and Pasture Management

Join professionals from NC State University on January 30, 2025 at Butner Beef Cattle Field Laboratory to learn about bale grazing and use of temporary fencing for managers of all types of grazing livestock. In addition, frost-seeding and use of UAVs (drones) serve as a strategy to jumpstart forage establishment during winter/spring, to improve pasture productivity, and to provide floral resources in the landscape.
You will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations as well as to see actual research projects being conducted by graduate students at the station. Space is limited RSVP https://winterfeedingandpasturemanagement.eventbrite.com

Small Ruminant Winter Webinar Series

All webinars will take place from 7-9 pm ET via Zoom. Register at the links below. Please email awbowman@ncsu.edu if you would like access to the recordings for Nov. and Dec.  
Jan 9: Opportunities with Sheep and Solar Farms – https://go.ncsu.edu/sheep-solar-grazing
Feb 6: Livestock Guardian Animals – https://go.ncsu.edu/livestock-guardian-animals
Mar 6: Pasture Management for Small Ruminants – https://go.ncsu.edu/pasture-management

NC Farm School

Registration is open for the 2025 Northern Piedmont NC Farm School. Learn more at https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/2024/09/2025-northern-piedmont-nc-farm-school/. 

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Calendar of Livestock Events

Jan. 9 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association, 6:30 p.m., Mitchell's Butchery, Meadows

Jan. 9 Sheep and Goat Solar Grazing Zoom, 7 - 9 p.m. https://go.ncsu.edu/sheep-solar-grazing.

Jan. 10 Registration deadline for the Teeter Beef Leadership Institute

Jan. 20 Office Closed for Martin Luther King Day (4-H Livestock Judging Practice)

Jan. 21 Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales Video Auction, 1 pm 

Jan. 30 Winter Feeding and Pasture Management, Butner Beef Cattle Field Lab

Feb. 6 Livestock Guardian Animals Zoom, 7 -9 p.m. https://go.ncsu.edu/livestock-guardian-animals

Feb. 13 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 15 NC Forage Conference, Hickory 

Feb. 21-22 NC Cattlemen's Conference, Hickory

Feb. 22 Blue Ridge Brutes Cattle Sale, 1 p.m. Mt. Airy

Mar. 6 Pasture Management for Small Ruminants Zoom, 7 - 9 p.m. https://go.ncsu.edu/pasture-management

Mar. 13 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association, 6:30 p.m.

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