Producers Urged to Check Livestock Water Access Before Winter Freeze

By Jason Vance As colder weather approaches, livestock producers should take time to evaluate their watering systems and farm ponds to ensure cattle have reliable access to water throughout the winter. Joe Gerken, Kansas State University Fisheries and Aquatics Extension specialist, said now is an important time to inspect ponds, watering tanks and other water sources before freezing temperatures make problems more difficult to identify and address. Gerken recommends walking around farm ponds to check for erosion, steep banks and other potential hazards that could make it difficult for livestock to safely reach the water. “Now’s a good time to do that before the ice starts to freeze, especially on the edges of our pond, and we aren’t able to see those different changes,” Gerken said. Although farm ponds may not freeze completely, the shallow areas along the edges typically freeze first. That can create problems for livestock trying to reach open water.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.