CATTLEMEN ASSESSING DEATH LOSS FROM STORM
Blizzard conditions in parts of the
west and southwest U.S. severely stressed beef cattle and
Kansas cattlemen are reporting death losses from the storm,
according to livestock associations in the area.
    Talk among futures traders that cattle had died from the
cold and blowing snow accounted for some of the strength in
Live Cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange today.
    "Death (of cattle) can be directly attributed to the storm,
but it's hard to get a handle on a number," Todd Domer,
director of communications for the Kansas Livestock Association
said.
    Domer noted that limited reports have been filtering in of
death losses at feedyards and from grazing and cow/calf
operations. Western Kansas was hardest hit while Eastern Kansas
only had rain, he said.
    Paul Johnston of the Nebraska Livestock Feeders Association
said, "There's no question that baby calves coming in that kind
of blizzard are probably not going to make it."
    We were having such a nice winter and the cows were out
calving before the storm hit, he added.
    The worst part of the storm came through the center of the
state. Precipitation was generally in the form of wet snow and
some feedlots are already like "soup", he said, inhibiting
cattle movements.
    The storm also had an effect on weight gain of larger
animals. Drifting snow caused problems in moving feed and mud
made it hard for cattle to reach the feed once it was
available.
    Domer noted that feedyards sources say a tremendous cutback
has occurred in feed consumption by cattle in the yards, which
may or may not lead to sickness over the next several days.
Cattle reduced daily feed consumption to about 12 lbs from 25
during the worst of the blizzard, he said.
    Mud will be more a problem as the weather breaks and snow
melts. Mud adds to stress on full-grown animals and endangers
smaller ones which can fall and be trampled in pens. The cost
of feeding rises as animals generally consume more in cold
weather, Domer said.
    Domer said it will be at least 10 days before yards get
back to normal.
    Roy Gallant, from Accu Weather Services, said that although
the worst of the storm is over, there are still some strong
gusty winds which will not diminish until tonight.
    The storm started late Sunday night in West Kansas and is
just now winding down. The storm has moved into South Dakota,
parts of Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota, he said.
    Snow accumulations from the storm totaled six to 10 inches
in most sections and 12 to 18 in a few spots before moving
north. This equals 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches of water. Drifts of four
to six feet and up to 12 feet were reported, he said.
    There's a possibility of another storm brushing that region
tomorrow night and Friday, Gallant added.
 Reuter
