[ad_1]
These images recall many of the scandals that made the Šilut distrito district famous a few years ago, when various disorderly farmers kept dairy cows and their calves so cold during the winter. This angered the people, and many hated him, he called the editorial offices, the inspectors of the Šilutė branch of the State Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS) or even the Municipal Government.
We no longer hear from those losing “farmers”, nor do we get calls about cold frozen cattle. And these animals that are seen in the fields covered with winter blankets have a dense brown or whitish coat and show with all their bodies that they are healthy and strong representatives of the meat race, and the cold of our winters is a laugh for them.
Cattle herds are increasing
Vytautas Mockus, the inspector at the Šilutė branch of the Klaipėda department of the SFVS, also confirms the fact that no complaints about improperly kept animals have been received for a long time. He told Šilutė News that there are around 2,000 smaller or larger herds of cattle in our district, including about 80 herds of beef cattle. We usually see them when we take a walk through the snowy meadows. The number of these herds of beef cattle increases every year.
Farmers in the area already know that even in the deepest winters, veterinarians do not recommend completely isolating animals and keeping them permanently closed in barns or other dwellings. In a warmer climate, down to minus 15 degrees, in the absence of strong winds, rainfall can free these cattle to walk in the field, as this has a positive effect on their health and productivity. Beef cattle that are more resistant to frost can be kept outdoors year-round if they can hide from harsh weather conditions. To do this, open construction shelters, hangars or other structures are installed. The opening of the building should face the side from which there are no prevailing winds.
It is not advisable to keep dairy cattle in the so-called cold form, as they are not sufficiently resistant to winter temperatures. In addition, keeping such cattle outdoors in winter can also result in economic losses: the energy that the animal will use to maintain its body temperature can cause dairy cows to lose milk, leading to udder inflammation. Therefore, it is recommended to release these animals only for mochi – short walks in the fresh air to improve their metabolism, digestion, respiration and blood circulation.
Cattle in the snow
© Šilutė news
Sell chicks up to 1 year
Kęstutis, an elderly insurance farmer from Petreliai village, already has a herd of around 300 head of cattle. He raises sterile limousines and has meat crossbreeds. It mainly sells chicks up to one year old. You have buyers for all your grown produce, so you don’t feel a problem selling.
According to Kęutis, it is successful in raising beef cattle, it is easier to raise it than dairy animals. There is no need to worry about milking, because these are lactating animals – they are milked by young.
Cattle are kept in barns, that is, in buildings with only three walls, fed with hay and green mass. The young are additionally fed compound feed.
“The meat animals themselves choose how much they want to be outside and how much to wade in the snow. For them, it’s normal and fun. And people who used to be unusual to see cattle roaring in the snow are now used to it and no more scandals when they see it.” says the farmer.
It grows for both variety and meat.
A herd of approximately 800 head of cattle grazes in the Dėkintai village of the Samogitian Naumiestis elder. It is owned by a company run by Valdas Balčiūnas. He was one of the first to raise cattle in the Šilutė region, 15 years ago. Angus cattle are native to Scotland. They are fed with special fodder: hay, hay, corn silage. Such a large herd is supervised by only 5 employees, and the company sells the animals raised for both breed and meat.
V. Balčiūnas also says that these cattle feel great when they roam freely in the snow.
“At first, there were people who expressed fear that such beautiful animals would freeze. Now, apparently, everyone around them has gotten used to it and understands that the Lithuanian cold is not terrible for them: thick fur and thick fur protect them well from negative temperature. It is important that they have shelter and a dry place to rest, ”said V. Balčiūnas.
[ad_2]
