How Nebraska farmers can keep livestock safe during brutal cold

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – With the temperatures near or below zero this weekend, and the wind chill well below zero, farmers will be keeping a close eye on their animals.

Livestock are worth lots of money, so keeping them safe during the cold is important.

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Cattle are pretty tough when it comes to cold weather, but when the wicked winds come, it can be very dangerous for them.

Having some type of wind break is essential, and having a plan and backup plan if things go wrong is imperative.

“Cattle are pretty resilient, and they can stand there and withstand the stress of a storm for a day or so,” said Karla Wilke, an associate professor of range management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “But if you’re going to have prolonged cold and prolonged snowdrifts, you know, you got to get to them.”

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It’s really not cattle you need to keep an eye on. Chickens need shelter, and potentially a heat lamp, to stay warm during the cold.

Of course, make sure your pets, like your dog, only go outside for a couple minutes at a time.