The cold weather we have been experiencing often prompts news outlets to remind owners to bring pets indoors during the low temperatures.

But for the most part, the effects of severely cold weather on livestock operations go unmentioned.

Consider that regardless of the air temperature, farmers still need to milk cows, feed livestock and do all of their other routine barn work on a daily basis.

Some people think cold weather is only tough on the animals. Actually cold weather does not bother the animals as long as they receive proper care and their needs are met. If anything, maybe a little more energy in the feed ration and shelter will suit them quite well.

Cold weather is definitely tougher on the operators/producers of the farm. All nonAmish farms today are mechanized. Today’s farms have skid loaders, tractors, manure spreaders, barn cleaners, silo unloaders, and milking equipment, among other machines.

The problem with all of the equipment is that nothing works well in sub-zero temperatures. Farmers who are tending to livestock find that each job takes twice as long as normal, and sometimes when all the chores are finally done it’s time to start over again.

Each day presents its own set of problems. Frozen water lines or broken water bowls probably greet many producers each morning.

Starting tractors and thawing or “breaking loose” manure spreaders is another time-consuming job, not to mention the additional time required to scrape everything clean so that it will be easier to break loose the next day.

Some farmers will discover that a belt, bearing, chain or switch will need replaced on the coldest day, due to frozen conditions. This might require climbing 60 feet up the silo with tools to make the repair.

These are just a few of the things farmers must do even during extended cold periods. Milking, feeding, hauling manure and grinding feed are not optional. These are not jobs a farmer can put off doing until temperatures warm up.

Farmers know their equipment and livestock needs very well and most have developed a system that lets them get through these cold snaps and continue to produce at normal levels.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.