Cold weather, farmers worry about keeping warm for 'career'

(Baonghean.vn) - Grasping the forecast information of an upcoming cold spell, Tuong Duong district has directed and instructed people to proactively keep warm and stock up on food for livestock.

In previous years, during severe cold spells, some of Mr. Vi Van Tan’s goats in Coi village, Luong Minh commune often died. Learning from experience, this winter, Mr. Tan always monitored and grasped the weather situation to proactively cover, find food sources and take care of his family’s goats.

Mr. Vi Van Tan, Coi village, Luong Minh commune, prepares food for his goats during the cold days. Photo: May Huyen

Mr. Tan said: This year, since the beginning of winter, I have covered the barn, listened to the veterinary staff to learn how to care for and warm the goats. On cold and wet days, I do not let the goats out, but feed them grass and dry leaves to avoid stomach aches. In addition, I also light a fire to keep warm and clean the barn.

Mr. Loc Van Thuyen's family in Na Tong village, Tam Thai commune currently has 5 cows, which they have obtained thanks to preferential loans from the Farmers' Association. Therefore, taking care of the cows is a regular job and is a top priority.

Since the beginning of the cold season, Mr. Thuyen has covered the barn, stored dry straw, and expanded the area of ​​​​planting milkweed in case of prolonged cold. Thanks to that, despite the harsh weather, the family's cows still grow well, and the food source is always guaranteed.

To keep herds of buffalo and cows warm during the cold spells, many farming households in the mountainous district of Tuong Duong have proactively covered their barns and kept them clean. Photo: Cong Khang

It is known that in previous years, Tam Thai commune was one of the localities where many livestock died due to severe cold. Currently, the total livestock herd of the commune is 2,580, including more than 400 buffaloes, nearly 2,200 cows and more than 600 goats.

This year, the commune has implemented hunger and cold prevention for livestock since the change of seasons. People in the villages have proactively grasped weather information to have ways to prevent cold such as: herding livestock to barns for care; covering barns; increasing storage of dry straw and corn; expanding the area of ​​​​growing milkweed...

To prevent prolonged cold, many farmers have planted milkweed as a food reserve. Photo: Cong Khang

The whole district of Tuong Duong currently has more than 40,000 buffaloes and cows, not to mention other livestock. The habit of the people in the highlands is still to let them roam freely, only coming back to plow in the season, leading to the situation of buffaloes, cows and other livestock starving and freezing to death in the winter.

To limit damage, especially during the ongoing cold spell, the district has directed localities to strengthen propaganda measures to raise people's awareness. At the same time, agricultural extension and veterinary officers have actively coordinated with localities to guide households to actively care for livestock and poultry.

Agricultural extension officers instruct on how to use light bulbs to warm chickens during cold days. Photo: May Huyen

Mr. Mai Van Hoang - Head of the Veterinary Station of Tuong Duong district said: "Since the beginning of winter, we have been vaccinating buffaloes and cows, and at the same time, propagandizing and mobilizing farmers to cover their barns, instructing them on how to feed their animals with enough fiber, protein, vitamins, and salt in the cold season to increase their body temperature, creating warmth for their animals, and absolutely not letting their animals out on cold days."

May Huyen - Cong Khang