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ADAIR COUNTY, MO -- Cold temperatures have many farmers taking extra precautions to keep their animals healthy.

KTVO visited the Garlock Dairy Farm in Adair County. Farmers there have been feeding their cattle extra feed to keep the animals’ body temperature high.

They also put down extra straw to help keep the cows warm while they sleep.

But farmers say the biggest issue right now is the wind. “You have to keep the cattle out of the wind. You need some kind of wind break for them or a shed to put them in,” dairy farmer Janet Garlock said.    

Garlock says they use large hay bales to provide some of their livestock shelter from the wind.

Veterinarians remind farmers that livestock can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite just like humans. It’s also important to make sure all animals, big and small, have access to water.