Severe Winter Weather Planning Protects Farms and Livestock
Severe winter storms can quickly create dangerous conditions on farms. Bone chilling cold, heavy snow, and ice can threaten personal safety, livestock, buildings, and machinery. Planning ahead and acting early can help reduce risks and protect farm operations.
Erin Cumings, Senior Consultant at Nationwide, who farms with her husband Mathew, reminds farmers to allow extra time for daily tasks during winter weather. “The most important thing is to allow extra time to do everything,” she said. Monitoring weather forecasts and preparing for changing conditions can help prevent emergencies.
Personal health is a top priority. Frostbite can occur during long exposure to freezing temperatures and may cause serious injury.
Farmers and workers should dress in layers, cover all exposed skin, and keep clothing dry. Slips and falls are common on icy surfaces. Clearing walkways, using slip resistant materials, and ensuring good lighting can reduce these risks.
Livestock also need special care in extreme cold. Newborn calves are especially vulnerable during freezing weather.
Matthew Cumings explained, “We move our cows to the barn if they calve when the weather is bad, so we can keep a closer eye on them.” He also noted that keeping a tractor or pickup nearby can help during monitoring.
Power outages can be dangerous for livestock kept indoors. Erin Cumings advised, “If there’s a rolling power outage or lines go down, you need a backup energy source — and fast. Check backup generators, so they’ll come on quickly if you need them. Preventative maintenance is important.”
Farm buildings must also be protected. Heavy snow can increase roof collapse risks. Farms should have a snow management plan that explains how snow will be removed and how much weight buildings can handle.
Closing sheds tightly may trap harmful carbon monoxide if machinery runs inside. Symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, or nausea require immediate action and emergency help.
Machinery care is another key area. Cold weather can cause diesel fuel to gel and engines to fail. Matthew Cumings shared, “We keep tractors plugged in and do everything we can to keep diesel engines from gelling up.”
By preparing equipment, protecting animals, and keeping workers safe, farmers can reduce damage and maintain safe operations during severe winter weather.
Photo Credit: Pexels-Lorenza Manera