Proactively prevent and protect buffalo and cows from cold

In recent days, the weather in the northern part of Thai Nguyen province has turned cold. The cold air has continuously intensified, causing the temperature in many localities to drop sharply, in some places it is only below 15 degrees Celsius, in high mountainous areas it is below 10 degrees Celsius at night. The cold directly affects the lives and health of people and has a strong impact on livestock, an important source of livelihood for thousands of households. Therefore, proactively preventing and protecting buffaloes and cows from the cold needs to be focused on.

The family of Mrs. Trieu Thi Quan, in Khuoi Na village (Xuan Duong commune) reinforced the barn and covered it with tarpaulin to keep the cows warm during the cold days.

The family of Mrs. Trieu Thi Quan in Khuoi Na village, Xuan Duong commune, is busier these days. Not long after the two cows were brought home, one of them gave birth to a healthy calf.

Identifying that herding cows is a long-term livelihood that helps stabilize life, Ms. Quan's family pays special attention to care, prevention and cold protection. The barn is firmly reinforced, covered with canvas to reduce drafts, and concentrated feed such as corn bran and rice bran is added to increase resistance for mother cows and calves.

Mrs. Trieu Thi Quan said: The barn is covered tightly, straw is spread thickly, and concentrated feed is prepared to give the animals strength. Newborn cows must be carefully cared for to avoid catching a cold.

In Vinh Thong commune, especially the old Cao Son commune, the night temperature often drops below 10 degrees Celsius, the mountainous terrain, strong winds, and humid air increase the risk of cold for livestock. This is an area with potential for large-scale livestock development, so cold prevention and control work is given more attention.

Mr. Luong Van Cao, Lung Sien village, shared: During the cold days, if buffaloes and cows are let out, they will easily get sick. I cover the barn with tarpaulin, spread thick straw, increase the bran portion and do not let them go outside. If not taken care of carefully, the whole herd can lose weight, causing great losses. In the village, some households also store silage to help livestock increase their resistance in the winter.

To protect livestock, the authorities of the northern communes have issued plans to prevent and combat the cold, and at the same time provided technical guidance to livestock households, especially those newly participating in the livelihood support model. For example, in Vinh Thong commune, specialized agencies regularly propagate ways to keep livestock warm, emphasizing keeping the barn floor dry, preparing concentrated feed and absolutely not taking livestock to the field when the temperature is below 12 degrees Celsius.

The buffaloes were herded into the barn to avoid the cold weather.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoi , Chairman of Vinh Thong Commune People's Committee, said: The Commune People's Committee directed specialized agencies and villages to propagate and mobilize households to reinforce barns, protect them from drafts, add bedding and increase semen rations. On very cold days, grazing must be completely stopped to ensure the safety of livestock. The commune also coordinated propaganda on loudspeakers, instructing on how to recognize cold-season diseases and how to handle them when buffaloes and cows show unusual signs.

According to statistics, the northern communes and wards of the province currently have nearly 90,000 large livestock, of which buffalo and cows account for the majority. This year's winter weather is forecast to be more complicated. People proactively protecting their livestock early, combined with close guidance from local authorities, will help protect livestock better, minimize damage, and maintain stable production during the cold season.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202511/chu-dong-phong-chong-ret-cho-dan-trau-bo-99a6f47/