Cold, Frost, and Rain Affect Cattle Herds

The adverse weather conditions recorded in recent weeks in Rio Grande do Sul, with intense cold, frost, and excessive rainfall, have been causing losses to cattle farming. According to the Conjunctural Report released by Emater/RS-Ascar on Thursday (3), the impacts include weight loss in animals, worsening body condition, and even deaths from malnutrition in the most affected regions. "In the most critical areas, producers report animal deaths and management difficulties, which required the adoption of emergency measures, such as food supplementation and adaptation of productive systems," Emater/RS-Ascar reported. In the administrative region of Bagé, especially in São Gabriel, a large number of cows and calves with low body condition were observed. In some cases, deaths from malnutrition have already been recorded. In Itaqui, even in areas with cultivated winter pastures, producers cannot complete the finishing of herds. In Manoel Viana, losses were amplified by the destruction ...