USDA OSU COUNTIES COOPERATING

DATE: December 3, 2009 VOLUME: 19

Water’s Not Water When It’s FrozenDave Sparks DVM

Approaching winter brings a whole new set of issues for livestock drinking water. Limited water intake depresses animal performance quicker and more drastically than any other nutrient. Frozen water sources and improperly functioning automatic waters are major contributors to limiting water intake. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as we head into colder weather.

Animals drink water most readily between 40 and 65 degrees. Heated waterers that overheat can be just as big a problem as frozen water.

Free choice salt or salt in the diet will serve to increase water consumption and insure adequate hydration. When water is suddenly limited by frozen water sources or improperly functioning waterers, salt toxicity can occur because there is not sufficient water to dilute and eliminate salt in the tissues. Clinical signs are usually related to central nervous system malfunction with ataxia, seizures, and death. This is primarily a problem with animals raised in confinement and fed concentrated rations with high salt or mineral content.

Limited water intake is an important factor in urinary calculi (water belly) in ruminants. Less water passing through the kidneys and bladder allows stones to precipitate. When the water thaws, or water intake increases, the increased urine flow flushes these stones out of the bladder and into the male’s urethra where they may be too large to pass. This condition may require surgical intervention. It is much easier to prevent by assuring adequate and continuous water intake than to treat it once the stones have formed.

In This IssueWater’s Not Water When It’s Frozen

Effect of Environment on Energy RequirementMarket Cows in Proper Flesh

KOMA Cattle ConferenceSevere Winter Weather Terminology

Found in the File Cabinet

Limited water intake is usually manifested in horses as digestive tract disturbances. The most common winter time cause of colic is water deprivation or limitation.

Dairy cows given free access to water will produce more milk and more butterfat than cows allowed to drink twice per day. It is an assumption, but a logical one, that beef cows would respond the same way. Keeping open water available may result in bigger weaning weights than chopping ice once or twice per day.

No matter what type of livestock you raise, remember that the days when you most want to stay by the fire are the days it pays to pay closer attention to water management.

Effect of Environment on Energy RequirementKent C. Barnes

The environment can play a significant role in the feeding management of beef cows. Environmental stress can easily evolve from the combined effects of temperature and wind, even though, the beef cow has a fairly wide thermo neutral range (approximately 30 to 70°

F). When a cow experiences cold stress, the major impact is on energy requirements for body maintenance because of the necessity of maintaining body core temperature. Protein requirements probably change very little. The TDN requirements of beef cows can be adjusted based on the wind chill index (WCI):

Dry hair coat:

Increase TDN supply by 1% per degree WCI below the Lower Critical Temperature (about 30° F for a cow with dry hair).

Wet hair coat:

Increase TDN supply by 2% per degree WCI below the Lower Critical Temperature (about 50° F for a cow with wet hair).

Thus, a beef cow with a dry hair coat in a 0° F wind chill will require 30% more TDN than the same cow at 30° F WCI. The impact of rain is even more dramatic. At 30° F WCI, a cow with a wet hair coat will require 40% more TDN than a cow with a dry hair coat. Consequently, environmental factors can play an important role in feeding beef cows.

From a practical standpoint, feeding levels of beef cows should not be altered on a daily basis. Instead, these guidelines provide the opportunity to make longer term adjustments (one or two weeks) dependent on the continuing weather patterns.

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Market Cows in Proper FleshKent C. Barnes

Culling cows before they become extremely thin will benefit both the rancher and the entire beef industry. Generally, severely thin, feeble cows (emaciated) are losing weight rapidly. They must use their own muscle tissue for energy just to exist. The net result – extremely small ribeyes and poor red meat yields – greatly lessens the salvage value of such animals.

Dressing percent (dress = carcass wt. divided by live wt.) of very thin cows will be quite low. Therefore, packer buyers will pay less per pound for very thin cows than cows in better flesh (body condition) and heavier total weight. Perhaps just as important, emaciated cattle are most often those which “go down” in transit, as they lack the strength to remain standing for long periods of time. Severe bruising, excessive carcass trim, increased condemnations, and even death are the net results.

Appropriate body condition for cull cows ranges from those in good flesh (smooth appearance throughout and the back looks rounded) down to those with moderate flesh (only the last 2-3 ribs can be seen and little evidence of fat in the brisket, rib or tail head area). These cows will usually make the “boner” slaughter cow grade and unless overly full at sale time, will have a desirable dressing percent (avg. dress to high dress).

KOMA Cattle ConferenceKent C. Barnes

The KOMA Cattle Conference and Trade Show will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Dewey. The meeting will start at 12:30 p.m. with registration and will conclude at 5:45 p.m. with an evening meal. A $15 registration fee to cover the cost of educational materials and conference expense should be sent to the Washington County Extension Center by January 4th.

The agenda is complete, and we think you will agree that this will be a great program. Topics appear to include a market outlook, animal welfare debate & how it is going to affect you, age & source and pre-conditioning updates, genetic testing and where does it belong in the industry, and more.

The KOMA Beef Cattle Conference is a joint effort by the Extension Services in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas. It is designed to provide the latest information on production, marketing, health, nutrition and management. The Joplin Regional Stockyards will host a KOMA Conference January 12th. Many of the topics and speakers will be the same at the two locations.

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Picture from Brenda Miller, Family and Consumer Science Specialist

Severe Winter Weather TerminologyLaDonna McCowan-Ferrier, Ph.D.

Severe winter weather is rapidly approaching Oklahoma. The National Weather Service (NWS) uses standardized terms to tell the public about severe weather that is currently happening or that is predicted to occur. In order to take appropriate action, you must understand the terminology. These winter weather definitions will prepare you when winter warnings are given.

Winter storms

Winter Weather Advisory - Hazardous winter weather conditions are occurring, imminent, or likely. Conditions will cause a significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, may result in a potential threat to life and/or property. The generic term, winter weather advisory, is used for a combination of two or more of the following events: snow, freezing rain or freezing drizzle, sleet, and blowing snow. [1]

Winter Storm Watch - Hazardous winter weather conditions including significant accumulations of snow and/or freezing rain and/or sleet are possible generally within 36 hours. These watches are issued by the Weather Service Forecast Office. [2]

Winter Storm Warning - Hazardous winter weather conditions that pose a threat to life and/or property are occurring, imminent, or highly likely. The generic term, winter storm warning, is used for a combination of two or more of the following winter weather events: heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet, and strong winds. [3]

Blizzard Watch - Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph (56 km/h) or greater, considerable falling, and/or blowing snow reducing visibility frequently to 1/4 mile (0.4 km) or less for a period of three hours or more are possible generally within the next 36 hours.

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Picture from Brenda Miller, Family and Consumer Science Specialist

The following event-specific warnings are issued for a single weather hazard:

Blizzard Warning - Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph (56 km/h) or greater, considerable falling, and/or blowing snow reducing visibility frequently to 1/4 mile (0.4 km) or less for a period of three hours or more. There are no temperature criteria in the definition of a blizzard but freezing temperatures and 35 mph (56 km/h) winds will create sub-zero (below -18°C) wind chills.[4]

Heavy snow warning - Heavy snowfall amounts are imminent and the criteria for amounts vary significantly over different county warning areas. [5]

Ice Storm Warning - Heavy ice accumulations are imminent and the criteria for amounts vary over different county warning areas. Accumulations range from 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 12 mm) or more of freezing rain. In Canada, these are known as Freezing Rain Warnings.[6]

Sleet Warning - Heavy sleet accumulations of 2 inches (5 cm) or more in 12 hours or less are imminent. Usually issued as a winter storm warning for heavy sleet.[7]

Wind Chill Warning - Extreme wind chills that are life threatening, criteria varies significantly over different county warning areas.[8]

Snow Advisory - Moderate snowfall amounts are imminent and the criteria for amounts vary significantly over different county warning areas.[9]

Freezing Rain Advisory - A trace to 1/4 inch (1 - 6 mm) of expected freezing rain is needed in any county warning area to prompt a freezing rain advisory.[10]

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Picture from Brenda Miller, Family and Consumer Science Specialist

Freezing Drizzle Advisory - A trace to 1/4 inch (1 - 6 mm) of expected freezing drizzle is needed in any county warning area to prompt a freezing rain advisory.[11]

Blowing Snow Advisory - Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 25 to 35 mph (40 to 56 km/h) accompanied by falling and blowing snow, occasionally reducing visibility to 1/4 mile (0.4 km) or less.[12]

Wind Chill Advisory - Dangerous wind chills making it feel cold, criteria varies significantly over different county warning areas.

1. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=Winter+Weather+advisory 2. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=winter+storm+watch 3. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=winter+storm+warning 4. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=blizzard+warning 5. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=Heavy+snow+warning 6. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=Ice+storm+warning 7. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=sleet+warning 8. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=wind+chill+warning 9. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=snow+advisory 10. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=Freezing+rain+advisory 11. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=freezing+drizzle+advisory 12. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?word=blowing+snow+advisory

More information addressing weather terminology can be found at:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, www.noaa.gov.

For Oklahoma:Al Sutherland, Assistant Extension Specialist, Mesonet, www.mesonet.org.

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Found in the File CabinetRobert L.Woods

The following appeared in the Jan-Feb. 1978 Issue of Agrichemical Age

Trace Concentration Units For Pesticide Residues, Food Additives, Etc.

Unit 1 Part Per Million 1 Part Per Billion 1 Part Per Trillion

Length 1 inch/16miles 1 inch/16,000 miles 1 inch/16 million miles (A 6 inch leap on a journey to the sun)

Time 1 minute / 2 years

1 second /32 years

1 second /32,000 years

Money 1 cent / $10,000 1 cent / $10 million 1 cent / $10 billion

Weight 1 oz. salt /3 tons meat

1 pinch salt /10 tons meat

1 pinch salt / 10,000 tons meat

Volume 1 drop vermouth /80 fifths gin

1 drop vermouth / 500 barrels gin

1 drop vermouth / 500,000 barrels gin

Area 1 sq. ft. /23 acres

1 sq. ft. /36 sq. miles

1 sq. ft. in state of Indiana

Action 1 bogey / 3500golf tournaments (252,000 holes)

1 bogey / 3.5 milliongolf tournaments

1 bogey / 3.5 billiongolf tournaments

Quality 1 bad apple /2000 barrels

1 bad apple /2 million barrels

1 bad apple /2 billion barrels

Rate 1 dented fender /10 car lifetimes

1 dented fender /10,000 car lifetimes

1 dented fender/10 million car lifetimes

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Dates to Remember

December 15 – Initial 9 Hour Training, Adair County NRCS Office, contact Adair County for more information.

January 7 – Annual Poultry Waste Management Education Program Planning Meeting, LeFlore County Extension Office, Poteau, OK

January 13 – KOMA Cattle Conference, Washington County Fairgrounds, Dewey, OK

January 13 – Initial 9 Hour Training, LeFlore County Extension Office, Poteau, OK,

January 27 – Oklahoma Soybean Expo, OSU Campus

February 8-9 – 3rd No-till Oklahoma Meeting, National Center for Employee Development Conference Center, Norman, OK

July 11-15 – NACAA AM/PIC, Tulsa, OK

Kent C. BarnesArea Livestock Specialist

LaDonna McCowan-FerrierArea Water Resource Specialist

Dave Sparks, D.V.M.Area Food-Animal Quality & Health

Specialist

Robert L. WoodsArea Agronomy Specialist

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of

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race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Robert E. Whitson, Director of Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Vice President, Dean, and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared and distributed at a cost of $7.20 for 30 copies. 1209

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