Livestock Succumb To Cold Wet Spring
Unusually cold weather conditions can be difficult for those raising horses and cattle but when you add wet weather to the mix it can quickly turn deadly. I’m Susan Allen Stay tuned for Open Range. Ranchers in Montana and Colorado are reporting that they’re losing up to ten percent of their calves due to the cold wet spring that has made babies venerable to a host of diseases many that lead to scours. In fact ranchers in one Colorado county say it’s the worst conditions they’ve experienced in fifteen years,and that goes for those who raise sheep as well. The Northwest and Mountain states have been hit hard with a host of late springs storms like the one last week meaning livestock producers must be diligent in efforts to keep young stock healthy. Unlike a cold spring, continual dampness contributes to more illness and diseases in baby calves. Wet weather makes calves especially susceptible to scours, and just like a young infant, diarrhea leaves a baby calf weak and unable to fight off other diseases. The Montana State Extension’s web site is a good resource on scours calling it the number one disease related loss for ranchers. The fact a calf is 70 percent water at birth, means babies are easily dehydrated and the loss of electrolytes in a young calf actually produces a change in its body chemistry. The reason proper and timely vaccination is so important. Because scours is symptomatic of several diseases like BVD and Rotavirus calves that have had scours should be kept separate from healthy calves.
