Snow

Immediate Actions

• Ensure the safety of family and staff
• Move stock to safety, shelter and water - preferably lighter land or a stand-off area
• Break ice on troughs
• Make sure stock can't wander.  Don't rely on mains powered electric fences
• Check power and phones.  Report outages if possible.  Check neighbours - is it just your power/phone?
• Check dogs, poultry and pets
• Are neighbours okay, or can they help you?
• Use generators if available to keep pumps, electric fences and essential household appliances running.  Source generators if you don't have them.
• Monitor the local radio for news and information.

Next Priorities

• Move stock to a stand-off or sacrifice area if they are not already on one. Ensure they have enough space to lie down - at least 3.5 sq.m per cow if on woodchip, sand or concrete for up to two days; at least 5 sq. m on woodchip or sand for more than two days; and 8 sq.m if on crops or sacrifice paddock.
• Feed stock. They will be hungry and will eat whatever is put in front of them, so take great care when introducing different feeds.
• Ensure stock have access to ample clean water.
• Separate out any small, weak, sick, lame animals and put them in a separate mob for special attention.
• Check and clear driveways and access tracks. Report road and tanker track access problems to council and/or dairy company if appropriate.
  Look after family and staff, check neighbours. Accept help if you need it and give it where you can. Communication is critical.
• Milk any lactating cows if you can, but note that you may choose to delay milking or milk once-a-day to allow you time for other priorities. Monitor SCCs, watch for mastitis and keep in touch with the dairy company as necessary.

 Develop a flexible feed plan

Feeding to manage animal stress and to maintain as much condition as possible is critical in a heavy snow situation. Develop a flexible feed plan and monitor as time goes on.

• Assess the feed you have on hand - silage, hay, straw, brassicas, cereals etc
• Decide what you will feed while snow is still on the ground.  Do you have enough?  How will you manage any changes in feed type?  How can you ensure enough metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP)? 
• Do a feed budget.  
• If you have a feed shortfall, order in suitable supplementary feeds - grain, PKE, cereal silage, baleage, broll etc.  Be aware of their energy and protein content, and seek expert advice on the best combination for your situation.  Don't just guess.
• Plan to feed young or vulnerable stock as well as possible.  
• Monitor crops and pastures carefully, and be ready to change grazing priorities once the snow thaws
• Don't forget stock that may be out grazing.  Contact the grazier to make sure they are ok and meet with them early to discuss any issues and plan the way forward.

Monitor stock health

• Cold, wet stock will lose condition quickly.  Provide shelter, adequate feed and water.
• Feed quality is paramount - don't feed mouldy hay/baleage to pregnant or lactating stock.
• Watch for bloat when starting stock back on kale - feed a fibre source first.
• If cows have not had dry cow therapy and are lying in mud there is the risk of environmental mastitis.  Thorough teat spraying prior to calving is advisable.
• Remove any cows that abort from the main mob in case it is contagious.