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Tips to keep livestock warm during extreme cold weather

Posted at 1:15 PM, Jan 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-11 15:15:44-05

A cold front is fast approaching Montana with Arctic air and possible blizzard conditions causing problems for livestock.

LaSalle Equine Clinic Veterinarian Dr. Katie Boote said livestock are vulnerable during extreme cold.

She said constant access to a food source is needed to allow animals to digest creating an internal heat source.

Clean bedding to stay dry and shelter to guard from wind also help keep livestock warm.

Dr. Boote said livestock babies are especially vulnerable to frostbite during extreme cold conditions.

“For the babies especially, continuing to have them in that warm environment is key because those guys unfortunately their lower extremities like their ears their legs their tails or just so much more prone to getting frostbite and causing further damage, so we always want to have them in a safe warm place,” said Dr. Boote.

Having free flowing drinking water is also advised for livestock so their water source does not freeze over.