By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Winter Storm Fern swept across Texas over the weekend, bringing below-freezing temperatures, snow, sleet and ice that blanketed fields, pastures and roadways.
The harsh weather has lingered into the week, but daily responsibilities on farms and ranches continue.
Ranchers worked through the cold to ensure livestock had adequate nutrition needed to withstand the weather. Extra hay, range cubes and liquid feed help animals generate body heat and maintain condition during prolonged periods of freezing and below-freezing temperatures.
Access to water is a priority in cold conditions.
Ranchers regularly checked stock tanks and water troughs, breaking through ice to make sure livestock could drink throughout the day.
And some ranchers hauled water to livestock to maintain a reliable supply.
Livestock checks became more frequent, especially for heavy-bred animals and those with newborn calves or lambs.
Ranchers also rolled out hay to provide livestock with dry bedding to help animals conserve body heat during the storm.
Poultry farmers and nursery growers monitored barns and greenhouses to ensure heating systems were functioning properly and animals and plants remained protected from the extreme cold.
Cold days, long hours and extra layers of clothing became part of the routine as the winter storm settled across the state.
These cold winter conditions bring added challenges and preparations, but it doesn’t stop farmers and ranchers from doing what they do best—caring for their land and livestock.
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