LOMA, Colo. (KREX) — Brady Pearson is both the Mesa County Cattleman’s Association President and a rancher himself in Loma.
He cares for about 400 head of cattle that are now entering calving season: he’s already seen 11 born.
While Pearson is happy to see his cattle numbers start to grow, he fears the worst as a national arctic blast pushes in.
The cold front will hit the Western Slope this Friday night and last through the beginning of next week, with temperatures dropping to a predicted five degrees.
Pearson says he and other ranchers will have to make up beds for the newborn calves to keep the young separated from the frozen ground plus give them extra feed to get them through the cold.
He tells WesternSlopeNow he’s gone as far as putting the calves on the floorboard of his truck, blasting the heaters to get them warm.
He expects to see calf loss nationally but is keeping his hopes up for the fate of his own.
Co-Owner of Vanwinkle Ranch Janie Vanwinkle states her cattle won’t be in too much danger since they are expected to calve in roughly two weeks from now.
She tells WesternSlopeNow as calves are born, they’re wet and take time to dry while the mama cleans them, another factor putting them at grave risk during cold freezes.
Overall, she has good faith local cattle will be alright.
But how does an arctic blast affect crops here in the valley?
Talbott’s Mountain Gold Farm Manager Bruce Talbott tells WesternSlopeNow wine grapes are more sensitive than the other products he grows at this time of year.
He says, “we would probably start getting damage at 0, and by 10 below, we would have significant damage.”
While Vanwinkle and Talbott rest assured, Pearson does his best to prepare.
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