How to Prepare Your Dairy for the Winter Season

By: Dawn Klabenes, Dairy Extension Intern

Whether we are ready or not, winter is fast approaching. With winter comes a variety of challenges for dairy farmers and it can be a hard season. To prepare for those hardships, here are some things to keep in mind to make the cold season easier to get through.

Extra Energy!
As temperatures decrease and snow piles up, cold stress also sets in. It’s important to ensure that there is enough feed on hand for your cattle. With lower temperatures, an animal’s nutrition requirements go up. Meeting up with your nutritionist to tweak the ration to fit the cows’ needs will prove to be beneficial. Make sure you are prepared to provide all the energy your cows need to thrive.

Calf Care
Calves are going to need a little bit more TLC during the winter, so investing in calf jackets to keep them insulated will help. As I said in the last point, they need extra milk and feed to keep their body temperatures regulated, so remember to fulfill their needs. Lining up some hay bales along the huts will provide some extra protection from the wind, and facing the hutches out of the wind plays a big role in keeping them warm as well. Remember that southern winds are usually warmer than winds from the north, so facing the huts toward the south will be beneficial, and your calves will appreciate it!

Equipment Check-up!
To prevent delays from equipment failing due to the harsh temps, remember to prepare your equipment to help your winter days run more smoothly. Testing and servicing your generator might be the difference between keeping the milking on schedule and having no power to keep things moo-ving. Also, look at your waterers to make sure they are working properly to prevent your cows being stuck without water. Checking the heaters in your barn to make sure they’re working correctly will help keep you and your cows more comfortable.

Bundle Up!
Lastly, make sure you and your employees have the proper winter attire (winter boots, gloves, coats, etc.) that will help you all push through the fierce weather. If you are comfortable and haven’t lost all feeling in your toes yet, it will be easier for you to withstand the cold longer so that you can ensure all the animals are getting the proper care needed.

ARLINGTON, VA - The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) commended the Trump Administration today for signing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which had been agreed to in principle on Sept. 30.

The USMCA will benefit America's dairy sector by maintaining the overall U.S.-Mexico trading structure of the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), while incorporating new commitments to strengthen U.S. dairy export prospects throughout the North American region. Thanks to NAFTA, Mexico is currently the largest export destination for U.S. dairy products, accounting for $1.2 billion in sales last year. The United States commands a dominant market share in Mexico, with sales that amount to three quarters of its imported dairy products. Click here to continue reading.

FDA Extends Milk Labeling Comment Period

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) thanked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its announcement today that it will extend by 60 days, until Jan. 25, the public comment period during which the agency is seeking information on the proper names for plant-based beverages. The original deadline was Nov. 27.

“It is crucial that all interested parties have adequate time to more fully address FDA’s extensive list of questions about the labeling issue, and why it matters from a nutrition and public health standpoint,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF, which has long urged FDA to enforce existing rules on what should and shouldn’t properly be called “milk.” “This extension will allow the dairy community, as well as health professionals, to fully explain why consumers deserve accurate and honest information about their food options.” Click here to continue reading.

• Nebraska Dairy Update with Lucas Lentsch
• Improving Conversations with Your Lender Webinar
• Preparing Your Farm for Winter
• Final Signing of Modernizing NAFTA
• Barn Benchmarks for Success Workshop
• Milk Labeling Comments Needed
• NSDA Update