Well, it's officially winter here in Michigan. With the increased snowfall, we saw 2 weeks ago and with the dropping temperatures we've had this week, there is no doubt in our mind that the Cold Miser himself has arrived. Of course, with the change in seasons comes a whole host of different problems that we don't have to deal with in the summer months.

We make sure everyone is healthy before we are hit with a cold snap.

Cold Kills

In all fairness, intense heat also will do a number on the cattle but we almost always see a little extra death when the temperature drops significantly. The extreme cold will kill a calf who isn't feeling his best overnight. A calf who is just a bit under the weather now has a much higher probability of dying if the temperature dips to that below freezing range. We combat this problem by closely watching the calves and making sure everyone is in tip-top shape before the temperatures take a plunge.

Frozen Everything

It's always nice when your vehicle tells you how cold it's going to be before you have to face the day.

Automatic waterers are the number one culprit for freezing overnight. The feedlot is an old dairy farm so there are significantly more waterers that you would normally see for the number of cattle that we feed. Of course, this exponentially increases the probability of one or more of the waterers freezing overnight. Each waterer has it's only heating unit but they don't always work how they should. Thankfully, some hot water usually does the trick but overhauling a frozen waterer in below zero temperatures is usually inevitable at least once per winter.

Manure can also freeze solid during the winter which is sometimes a blessing and sometimes not so much. Frozen manure can build up under gates and push walls out. There isn't much we can do about it because trying to move it is like trying to chip rock off a mountain. Thankfully the barns get cleaned before we experience a big freeze so we can usually get the manure down to a manageable degree before it becomes unmovable. One thing that is nice about the manure freezing is that we don't have to scrape lots because it's all frozen down anyways! Of course, if it snows a lot we will try and get as much snow as possible out of the lots so the cattle don't have to trudge through drifts to get to their feed.

Equipment that Won't Cooperate.

We do occasionally get to see the Sun in the winter!

It's no secret that tractors don't like the cold, this is especially true with old tractors. Thankfully technology allows us to plug these tractors in so that their engine stays warm enough for them to start even on the coldest of mornings. This also means that we have to remember to plug these tractors in the night before. Nothing is more frustrating than having to wait for the tractor to warm up in the morning so that you can start chores.

Each season comes with its own difficulties. Whether it is heat, cold, rain, or wind we see the negatives that each season has to offer but also get to celebrate the wonderful things it brings. Winter, through the very cold that we wage war against, often makes it easier for cattle to stay healthier because viruses and bacteria don't live and spread as well in the cold. Not having to scrape lots as often saves us hours each week and their bedding stays drier because of the lack of humidity winter brings. So while we often curse the cold, it does have some benefits that we are very appreciative of.