This winter, Latvian cattle farmers are grappling with the harsh challenges posed by extreme cold, particularly the freezing of water in troughs and pipes. As a result, farmers have had to invest extra time and effort into thawing and providing water to the livestock, as noted by Raimonds Jakovickis, the chairman of the Association of Meat Cattle Breeders and the Latvian Cattle Breeding Association. Since automatic watering systems have failed, alternative manual solutions have become necessary, adding to the workload of the farmers.

Despite these difficulties, Jakovickis has pointed out that there has been no urgent need for specific heating measures since meat cattle are herd animals. They typically sleep huddled together in pens, which helps them retain warmth in cold conditions. He emphasized that temperatures between -10 degrees Celsius and +20 degrees Celsius are generally comfortable for cattle, allowing them to thrive in cold but manageable conditions. However, when temperatures dip below -15 degrees Celsius, there could be adverse effects on their well-being.

The implications of such challenges are significant for livestock farmers as they navigate the complexities of animal care in extreme weather conditions. The increased labor demands and potential risks to animal health could adversely affect production levels and, subsequently, the meat supply in the local market, highlighting the critical need for support and solutions to mitigate these winter challenges for cattle farming in Latvia.