...LIVESTOCK COLD STRESS ALERT FOR TONIGHT AND THURSDAY EVENING (JAN. 17, 2003) ...

TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO PLUNGE INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS TONIGHT. BY THURSDAY MORNING...THE FORECAST IS CALLING FOR TEMPERATURES DOWN TO NEAR 0 DEGREES IN MANY RURAL SECTIONS OF THE STATE WITH WIND CHILLS IN THE -10 TO -15 DEGREE RANGE. THIS WILL PROVIDE DANGEROUS COLD STRESS ON LIVESTOCK AND OUTDOOR PETS FOR OVER 36 HOURS.

UK COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE SPECIALISTS ARE CAUTIONING LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS NOW TO MINIMIZE LIVESTOCK COLD STRESS BY:

- CONFINE ANIMALS IF POSSIBLE WITH EXTRA CLEAN BEDDING

- PROVIDE WIND BREAKS TO LOWER WIND CHILL EFFECTS

- PROVIDE EXTRA FEED WHICH WILL HELP ANIMALS MAINTAIN HEAT PRODUCTION

- PROVIDE UNFROZEN WATER

- MOVE LIVESTOCK AWAY FROM PONDS...TO MINIMIZE ANIMALS BECOMING STRANDED AND BREAKING THROUGH THIN ICE

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS ARE OF CONCERN. ANIMALS RAISED OUTDOORS BURN MORE ENERGY JUST KEEPING WARM DURING EXTREME LOW TEMPERATURES. PRODUCERS SHOULD INCREASE FEED ABOUT ONE PERCENT FOR EACH CHILL FACTOR DEGREE BELOW 20 DEGREES. REMEMBER THAT CHILL FACTOR IS INFLUENCED BY WIND, HUMIDITY AND PRECIPITATION IN ADDITION TO TEMPERATURE DROPS.

FROZEN PONDS ALSO POSE RISK TO CATTLE AND HORSES. PRODUCERS NEED TO KEEP LIVESTOCK FENCED OUT OF THE POND LOT AS TO AVOID LIVESTOCK BREAKING THROUGH ICE, AND BECOMING STRANDED.

WATER CONSUMPTION IS ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN. LIVESTOCK TAKE IN LESS WATER DURING COLD WEATHER, BUT IT'S STILL THE MOST IMPORTANT NUTRITIONAL COMPONENT. KEEP WATER HEATERS TURNED ON TO AVOID FREEZE-UPS.

SPECIAL CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN OF DAIRY COWS, AND ESPECIALLY FIRST CALF HEIFERS, AROUND CALVING TIME. UDDERS WILL SWELL, CIRCULATION TO TEATS WILL BE REDUCED AND THE RISK OF FROST BITTEN TEATS INCREASES TREMENDOUSLY.

FINALLY, NEWBORN CALVES, PIGS, LAMBS AND FOALS NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION DURING FREEZING TEMPERATURES. CALVES AND FOALS JUST NEED SHED PROTECTION FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS TO GIVE THEM A GOOD START. PIGS AND LAMBS NEED DRY, CLEAN BEDDING, AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL HEAT OUT OF THE WEATHER FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO INSURE SURVIVAL.

AND FOR ALL KENTUCKY RESIDENTS...

IF YOU HAVE PIPES THAT ARE POORLY INSULATED...REMEMBER TO LEAVE THOSE FAUCETS TURNED ON SLIGHTLY TONIGHT...A SLIGHT DRIP WILL DO. PET OWNERS SHOULD ALSO BEWARE OF THESE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS.

WHEN TRAVELING...DO NOT ASSUME YOU WILL REMAIN IN YOUR WARM VEHICLE...BE PREPARED...IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.