An intense cold front is expected to affect the Western Cape as well as
the
western and central parts of the Northern Cape from Tuesday night through
to
Thursday, then the central, northern and eastern parts of RSA from
Thursday
through to Saturday.
Below are suggested strategies during
cold weather conditions
When temperatures plunge below zero, livestock
producers need to give extra
attention to their animals. Prevention is the
key to dealing with
hypothermia, and other cold weather injuries in
livestock.
What to do when cold/snowfall conditions are
forecast
Protecting livestock from cold weather/ snowfalls
conditions
* Please take the extra care to provide for your livestock
during
cold periods.
* Management of the livestock environment-
move all livestock to the
safe area. e.g. warm place,
* It is very
important that livestock be provided extra
hay/forage/feed to double the
calories for normal body heat maintenance in
extreme cold
conditions.
* Do not shear the Angora goat. Also, take extra time to
observe
livestock, looking for early signs of disease and
injury.
* Severe cold-weather injuries or death primarily occur in
the very
young or in animals that are already debilitated. Cases of
cold
weather-related sudden death in calves often result when livestock
are
suffering from undetected infection, particularly pneumonia.
Sudden,
unexplained livestock deaths and illnesses should be investigated
quickly so
that a cause can be identified and steps can be taken to protect
remaining
animals.
* Special attention should be paid to very
young and old animals.
They may be less able to tolerate temperature extremes
and have weaker
immune systems.
Protecting plants from cold weather/
snowfalls
* Protect plants by covering with paper or cloth over
framework
around tree or use mulching
* Wrapping trunks of frost
sensitive trees eg. citrus
* Watering during cold stages (drip
irrigate/apply just a trickle at
base of tree)
* Increase air
circulation
Following are a number of concerns and
recommendations
* Our animals, probably do not have an adequate cold
coat for
protection in these very low temperatures.
* Hypothermia
and dehydration are the two most probable
life-threatening conditions for
animals in cold weather, wet conditions and
wind-chill add greatly to the
cold-stress for animals.
* Livestock should be provided with
wind-break and roof shelter, and
monitored for signs of discomfort (extensive
shivering, weakness, lethargy,
etc.)
* It is critical that animals
have access to drinking water. Usual
water sources may freeze solid in low
temperatures and dehydration becomes a
life-threatening factor. Many
animals, especially the young, may not know
how or be unable to break several
inches of ice to reach water. In general,
animals tend to drink less in
extreme cold, risking dehydration.
* Adding a warm sloppy bran mash,
sloppy moistened beet pulp or
soaking pelleted feed in warm water is a good
way to add water to livestock.
* Select frost tolerant plants over
frost prone areas.
* Place cold sensitive plants in protected
locations - northern
exposures, full sun or lock walls.
* Do not
prune cold-damaged plants until they begin growing in
spring.
A
comprehensive list of strategies can be found in the monthly NAC Advisory.
It
can be accessed from the following websites:
www.daff.gov.za<http://www.daff.gov.za/>
,
www.agis.agric.za<http://www.agis.agric.za/>
and www.elsenburg.com
- CLIMATE CHANGE & DISASTER MANAGEMENT (EARLY WARNING UNIT)
