Anh Son mountain farmers protect crops and livestock from the cold

(Baonghean.vn) - In recent days, the temperature in the mountainous areas of Nghe An province has continued to drop. It is forecasted that in the next few days, cold air will continue to affect people's lives and production. To avoid damage in livestock production, people in the mountainous areas are urgently implementing many measures.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa in Thach Son commune builds a dike to keep the water in to keep the rice warm. Photo: Huyen Trang.

At this time, Anh Son district basically closed the spring rice area, however, the newly planted area is at risk of being affected by prolonged cold weather.

Despite the cold weather, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa and many people in Thach Son commune still have to go to the fields to take care of the spring rice. According to Ms. Hoa's experience, in order to protect young rice plants from the cold, in addition to building banks to keep the water level at 3-5 cm at the foot of the fields, she also proactively spreads more wood ash and adds some fertilizer.

Along with protecting the crop area, livestock is also carefully taken care of by the people. Although Mr. Bui Quang Hung, village 5, Thach Son commune, only raises 3 cows, they are a great asset of his family. To take care of his family's "industry", it has been cold and rainy these past few days so he has not grazed them in the fields but has covered the barn with tarpaulin, and has added grass and concentrated feed such as corn bran, cassava and salt to help the cows have more resistance.

Mountain farmers proactively cover their barns during cold days. Photo: Huyen Trang.

Besides traditional cold-fighting methods, people in Anh Son mountainous area also use silage to increase resistance for cattle, especially in cold weather like now.

Mr. Cao Xuan The, Hoi Lam village, Cam Son commune said: In cold and rainy days like this, the model of fermenting food is really effective. Our family does not need to go looking for grass, but with the pre-fermented food source, we can still ensure that our family's herd of buffalo and cows can grow healthily.

Fermenting food is an effective method to prevent hunger and cold for cattle and buffaloes used by many people in Anh Son. Photo: Huyen Trang

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dang - Head of the Department of Agriculture of Anh Son district said: To protect crops and livestock from the cold, Anh Son district has directed localities to synchronously deploy solutions. Accordingly, in areas of rice that have been sown and planted, water should be added to a water level of 3-5cm to keep warm, and the fields should not be allowed to dry out. For livestock, do not graze or use buffaloes or cows to plow on cold days; cover barns and provide enough food and water. Proactively prevent diseases in livestock, especially avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease./.

Huyen Trang