Take-home'from the Dakota blizzard

摘要

EVRY cattle producer winces at the thought of that early-October blizzard in western South Dakota. Right after 2 inches of rain fell, the area was hit with almost 2 feet of snow and winds over 50 mph. Cattle losses were estimated at an unbelievable 75,000 to 100,000 head! We know cattle with wet hides are highly susceptible to body heat loss. As the blizzard began, many of them hunkered down in steep ravines and creekbeds to escape the high winds. As the snow deepened, cattle succumbed to hypothermia, freezing and suffocation. Ranchers lost from 10% to 100% of their herds.