Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Wheat farmers, ranchers deal with cold conditions
Cattle gather to feed on a cold, foggy day at Schneider Farms in Rocklyn Wednesday, Dec. 7.
DAVENPORT-Snow, ice, frost and fog are nothing new to residents of Lincoln County, many whom are wheat farmers and cattle ranchers. That doesn't mean winter conditions don't require planning, response and knowledge of what to do with the fields and cattle when such weather arrives.
Matt Schneider, a cattle rancher and wheat farmer in the Davenport area, said winter preparation often starts as early as September.
"Usually, it's all done before the weather hits," Schneider said. "We have wind breaks for the cattle. We put down bedding made of wheat straw, so they have a warm place to sleep on."
Ian Wagner, who raises cattle and pigs and farms wheat southeast of Reardan, said feeding and watering livestock becomes even more important in winter.
"Cattle will drink more in winter," Wagner said. "Hogs, we double their rations."
Schneider agreed, noting that increased feed also helps warm cattle and provide key Vitamin A and D nutrients that a lack of sun takes away from the cows.
He said cattle can eat up to 30 pounds of hay in a day, and that number increases in cold weather. The same rings true for water quantities.
"Cows will drink up to 30 gallons of water in a day," he said. "Water is just as important for cattle in cold weather as it is when it's hot outside."
Wagner emphasized the importance of making sure feed is well-stocked and water isn't frozen, which modern technology makes easier.
"You can spend the whole day doing chores when you get a blizzard," Wagner said. "We spend a bulk of time in the mornings plowing, shoveling out gates. It can make for long days."
Veterinarian Todd Winzer of Wheatland Veterinary Clinic said his office doesn't see many winter-related issues from grown cattle, but can run into issues once calving season starts.
"As long as people have good wind breaks...farmers need ways for cattle to get out of the wind," Winzer said. "Once calving season starts, there can be issues if farmers don't get their cattle into a barn or something like that."
Schneider said a common misconception that concerns non-ranchers is when a cow is seen outside with a blanket of snow covering it. That's not a bad thing, he said.
"It insulates them and acts kind of like a blanket, so it can keep them warm," Schneider said.
Snow only becomes problematic for ranchers when it lasts into spring, which negatively affects calving, he said.
When snow begins to hit, Wagner said his farm begins to prepare equipment for dealing with the conditions.
"There's nothing you can really do when the snow comes," Wagner said. "You're kind of at the mercy of Mother Nature."
Farmers and ranchers are more concerned with winds, frost and cold temperatures than they are with snow, Schneider and Wagner said.
"We welcome snow in the wheat fields," Wagner said. "It acts as another form of moisture...unless it's there too long, then you can run into snow mold problems."
Schneider added that wheat farmers hope their fields will soak up the snow moisture instead of allowing it to melt into local creeks.
Wagner said farmers and ranchers should be prepared for wintery conditions by stocking up on food (for humans and livestock), water and other survival necessities.
"Keep food in your pantry and keep the fuel tanks full," Wagner said. "Your mind changes in the winter to be more stocked up...in the middle of winter, we kind of hunker down."
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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