01/15/2024
The bullmen and women and livestock folks on my friend list likely already know all this stuff but it occurred to me talking to a couple people today some people may not know these little tricks and things that have made life much easier during very cold weather. I didn’t know a whole lot when I started this whole thing and I have learned from a lot of great people and a couple of these I picked up through trial and error or just learned the hard way. I have posted a couple pictures for reference.
1. A compact battery charger/jumper. This thing has been invaluable. The one pictured I got off Amazon for about $100 and it had absolutely paid for itself. There are lots of different brands and types but I highly recommend this item. It can jump my tractor, 4 wheeler, pickup, charge your phone, etc. I would put this at the top of my list.
2. When breaking up ice on water troughs I like to break about half and make a little shelf and pile the ice up on top. By taking the ice out it allows the water to stay open longer and by piling it on top of the shelf you aren’t losing water volume when it finally does get above freezing and the ice melts. I find that a pitchfork or shovel is the most useful tool for this task.
3. During the rest of the year I typically will stack my feed buckets in between feeding but in the winter time I like to leave them staged by the feed bin I stacked because the oils and moisture in the feed will cause them to freeze together and be next to impossible to pull apart.
4. Anti-gel/ fuel treatments. There are a bunch of different types and kinds but they do work and they have helped me a bunch during prolonged sub freezing temps. Put em in your personal vehicles, tractor, side by side or four wheeler, chainsaw, generator, etc. Just do your research and find what best works for you.
5. Windbreaks. I am fortunate to have some natural windbreak areas on my land that helps get the cattle out of the wind but with that said, wind breaks will help your stock immensely getting through windy cold weather. If you have structures they can get under even better. This is a pretty obvious one but a pretty important one that you don’t want to overlook.
6. Keep em fed. I have learned the best way to keep stock warm is to keep them fed. Keeping hay out is vital. I put out extra protein tubs, I cube and make sure they have plenty of hay at all times.
Anyway, I know a lot of folks are going to already know these things but I just thought I’d post about it because it may help someone out and these are the little things I’ve learned help the most, at least for me. Best wishes!