Agriculture
Livestock farmers warned to prepare for cold weekend─── 14:37 Fri, 26 Jun 2015
Bloemfontein - Livestock farmers should remain alert this weekend, of the strong winds, isolated showers and cold to very cold conditions expected over the central parts of the province, this according to the South African Weather Service.
Farmers are advised to put measures in place to protect livestock from cold weather conditions. When temperatures plunge to below zero, livestock farmers need to give extra attention to their animals to prevent hypothermia and other injuries that might occur as a result of the cold.
Hypothermia and dehydration are the two most probable life-threatening conditions for animals in cold weather. Therefore the following should be taken into consideration:
•Livestock should be provided with wind-break and roof shelter and monitored for signs of discomfort (extensive shivering, weakness, lethargy, etc.)
•It is very important that livestock be provided with extra hay/forage/feed as up to double for normal body heat may be needed in extreme cold.
• 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.
•Management of the cow's environment- move all livestock to the safe area e.g warm place, feed ration management, feed bank management, and provide enough shelter for all livestock.
Protecting plants from cold weather
•Freezing temperatures can damage plants by rupturing plant cells as ice crystals form and rapid changes in temperatures occur. Evergreen plants can suffer damage from blowing winter winds and dry out when water is unavailable from ground that is frozen in the colder regions of the state.
•Select frost tolerant plants over frost prone areas,
•Place frost sensitive plants in protected locations western, northern exposures, full sun or lock walls,
•Protect plants by covering – paper, cloth – over framework around tree, mulching,•Wrap trunks of frost sensitive trees eg. citrus,
•Water during cold stages (irrigate drop with frost/apply just a trickle at base of tree),
•Increase air circulation,
•Do not prune frost-damaged plants until they begin growing in spring.
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