Cold Stress & Newborn Calves

Source:
Michelle Arnold, DVM, DABVP (Food Animal)
Ruminant Extension Veterinarian
University of Kentucky

(Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications)

As the weather is predicted to be bitter cold over the next two days, producers should take extra care of newborn calves to ensure their survival.

A calf's body temperature often falls below normal due to a slow birth (dystocia) followed by delayed standing and nursing.  Returning the calf's core body temperature to normal (100 degrees F for newborn calves) is the immediate concern, then maintaining that core temperature is of secondary concern.

Thunderstorm Safety

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

In spring and summer, weather patterns are more active as they move through Kentucky, especially in the afternoon and evening, resulting in more thunderstorms.

These weather conditions also increase the potential for lightning to strike people working or playing outdoors, and even while they are inside a building.

All thunderstorms produce lightning.  Sometimes called "nature's fireworks," lightning is produced by the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between negatively and positively charged areas.  An average lightning charge can provide enough energy to keep a 100-watt light bulb burning for more than three months!