When the snow storm hit in February, many students who live and work on farms found themselves taking precautions with their farm animals.
Megan Bumpas, an eighth-grade student at DMS, said she had to take care of her cattle during the snow storm, as temperatures dropped well below freezing and the snow piled up.
“We did not lose any cows, but we lost a rooster though,” Bumpas said.
Bumpas said none of her family’s cows got stuck in the snow, but there were plenty of concerns when it came to the winter weather.
“They are afraid of snow,” she said.
While Bumpas is used to working with her cattle during all sorts of weather, but things were different during the snow storm. She said she had to check on her cattle hourly to make sure they were warm to the touch and to see if they had gone down to the barn on their own.
Water also had to be checked to make sure it wasn’t freezing. If a layer of ice formed, the ice had to be broken to ensure all cattle had access to water. Bumpas also had to constantly change the food so it wood be in good condition for the cows to eat.
She said it was a scary experience for her and her family.
But things are looking up. Bumpas takes cares of five cows, and she is expecting a calf soon.
With all the precautions Bumpas and her family took during the snow, there were many more that had to take place. One of the most important things was keeping the cattle warm. Heat lamps needed to be check to make sure they were working properly and were focused on the wood chips.
At the end of the storm, the Bumpas cattle were still alive because of the precautions taken.
