This is a subscriber-only article
With temperatures expected to plummet to sub-zero levels this weekend, make sure you have taken steps to prevent water pipes from freezing and cattle going without fodder. Outlined are some tips to help prepare your farm in advance of freezing conditions.
1: Lag exposed water pipes
Water piping that is exposed and above ground level is prone to freezing, so applying lagging can help to prevent freezing, especially with older copper piping.
An alternative option is to turn on water taps slightly, so that a small, constant dribble is running. This will help prevent water pipes from freezing due to a constant draw of water.
However, this will not be an option where water is supplied and metered.
For some sheds where there is low priority stock on silage-only diets, it may be an option to turn water off late in the evening.
Ensure all troughs are filled to capacity and drain any fluid from pipes. Remember to turn the water back on first thing in the morning.
2: Fill empty barrels with water
Make use of empty barrels and cubes lying around, by filling with water in advance of the freeze. This way, if a pipe bursts after freezing, you can draw water from the barrels to give to cattle.
3: Keep the blow-torch, wrenches and water fittings handy
If pipes are frozen, they should be thawed out gradually by applying a moderate heat source. A blow-torch or a heat bulb can be used to thaw pipes.
Start thawing at the tap, making sure it is turned on to allow water to flow, and work backwards. Keep the heat source well back from the pipe and constantly move it up and down the pipe to even out thawing.
Look for the torch, or heat bulbs, now. Store them somewhere they can be easily located if needed. The same applies to wrenches that fit water pipes and fitting for drinking troughs.
It is a good idea to buy a few spare fittings to have in case they are needed when hardware stores are closed.
4: Keep a spare battery for machinery
Heavy frost can be sore on machinery, especially older equipment or machinery which has not been serviced regularly.
Heating an engine in sub-zero temperatures can drain a battery quickly, so make sure to keep a spare battery or starter pack to hand in case a tractor or telehandler used to feed animals is slow to start in the morning.
5: Remove the silage cover
Pull back the silage cover as the frost will make it extremely dangerous if has to be removed during the morning before animals are fed.
Frost and smooth plastic are a dangerous combination, so think about your safety before climbing on to the pit.
6: Don’t let cattle graze on frost-covered forage crops
Where cattle are being out-wintered on kale or forage rape, do not move the fencer in the morning when there is heavy frost on plant leaves as the crop can be poisonous to livestock.
Instead, wait until the frost has lifted before moving the fence. If necessary, put out an extra bale of silage or straw to cattle to keep them settled until the fencer can be moved.
The alternative is to feed some 1kg to 2kg of concentrate to increase energy intake during cold snaps.
7: Grit yards
Spreading rock salt or grit in the yard will help reduce the risk of accidents, especially in parts of the yard were water puddles tend to accumulate.
Take care when operating machinery, especially when pulling loaded trailed equipment such as a diet feeder in yards with slopes or sharp turns in and out of sheds.
SHARING OPTIONS: