FROM THE FARM Snow-covered cows

By CAROLE SOULE

When it snows you might ask, "Why don't you bring your cows inside, where it's warm?"  I don't because because, in most cases, I don't need to. Cows have hair that acts like roofing, keeping heat in, and is similar to house insulation. If a house roof is snow covered, the insulation is working. Snow piled on the back of cow means that the heat from the cow is not escaping to melt the snow.

Some of my cattle are Scottish Highlanders with long shaggy, lanolin coats. The long hair insulates them and the lanolin creates a natural "rain coat," causing snow and rain to run off before it penetrates to their skin. Even the Angus-cross cattle have coats and insulating fat that works the same way. Another advantage cattle have in the cold is their skin. Humans shiver in the cold because partly because of our thin skin. Cattle have thicker skin than humans, giving them more protection from freezing weather.

Bitter wind is more challenging than snow for cows. Cows use natural cover like trees or hills avoid the wind. Younger cattle are not as well prepared to deal with cold as the older cattle, so we make sure they have access to shelter. Given the choice, most cattle would rather be in the field seeking their own protection.

Snow-covered cows might look miserable, but they're not. No need to worry about snow-covered cattle. A cow blanketed with snow is a warm cow. With plenty of hay and adequate water cattle manage just fine in winter.

Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, in Loudon, where she raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs and other local products. She can be reached at cas@milessmithfarm.com.