AIR DECEMBER 23, 1998

Thank you Mark and good morning everyone. I really shouldn’t have said a thing last week about the weather. I had to bring up what would it would take to make December temperatures average out and look what happens. Needless to say we need to be getting some extra energy to livestock to account for the cold weather. A lot of the cattle may not yet have a full winter hair coat so energy requirement are even greater. Good quality alfalfa dehy, wheat mids and grain are going to be your best energy sources. Brome and prairie hay, even good quality may not cut it in this weather and poor quality hay will decrease how much they’ll eat period. Be careful about getting too much grain in them too quick, though, as this will cause even more problems for animals who have been on a primarily forage diet. That’s why a couple pounds of grain along with dehy or wheat mids works so well. Also make sure that they have access to fresh water. A spring or running creek may be open, but we’re finding that cattle do better, with the same water, if they don’t have to go through mud to get it.

Now, tomorrow is Christmas eve and then Christmas day and a full weekend after that so we’re going to have a lot of people on the road. It’s cold, it’s going to stay that way for a while so plan on it when traveling. Take emergency supplies, just in case. Take lots of warm clothes that will cover you from head to toe, just in case. Throw in extra blankets, some food and water supplies, just in case. File a flight plan with folks where you’re headed, and if it’s a long trip give them periodic updates (which is why cellular phones are so darn handy). If an emergency comes up at least someone will know where you were, when you were there and where you should be heading. It may sound like I’m overreacting, but if you prepare for the "just in cases" then they seldom happen. Frost bite and hypothermia set in fast under these conditions, so don’t assume that you won’t have problems or the car will keep you warm. Be prepared.

Finally this morning I want to wish you all a very Happy Holiday season. We often get all caught up in the holiday rush and don’t take time to slow down and reflect. Somebody asked me what I wanted for Christmas the other day, and I told them all I wanted was another year working with the best people in the best county in the state.

This is Chuck Otte, County Extension Agent, with Ag Outlook ’98 wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.

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