C O N N E C T I C U T W E E K L Y - ctgrown.gov

1 C O N N E C T I C U T W E E K L Y. Connecticut Department of Agriculture Dannel P. Malloy, Governor Wednesday, November 7, 2018. Steven K. Reviczky, Commissioner CONSIDERATIONS FOR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DURING COLDER WEATHER. Elizabeth Hall, Bureau of Regulatory Services Autumn is a season that brings many changes to Connecti- loss may be an indicator of compromised welfare. Low scor- cut. The shorter days bring us our beautiful foliage, fresh cider, ing animals are more prone to disease and parasitism. and all of the wonderful winter-keeping vegetables. Livestock, with adequate body condition and nutritional It is also a time however, for making the necessary plans level, can adapt to a wide range of thermal conditions. Protec- and preparations to ensure that livestock and poultry have ac- tion from extreme conditions should be available when those cess to adequate water, feed, and protection from the cold conditions create a risk to the welfare of the animals.

2 This can temperatures to not just survive but actually thrive during the be provided by natural or manmade structures. winter months. Evaluation, placement, and proper bedding management The shorter days also trigger the beginning of winter hair of your shelter are important. Some stands of trees or ravines growth in most livestock species including horses. Most farm- can provide protection from the wind; however, each pasture ers recognize the need to begin to increase supplemental is unique. Buildings and tree lines can also act as a funnel and feedings to maintain good body condition in their stock. As- increase the wind speed. These situations are less than ideal sessing an animal's current body condition serves as a valua- especially if the animals are in wet, muddy conditions with no ble tool in predicting what nutritional changes may be needed dry areas available. to maintain or even increase an animal's weight, if warranted, Heat and cold stress are influenced by various environmen- during the cold weather.

3 Tal conditions such as air temperature, relative humidity, and Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a numerical scoring system wind speed. Certain animal factors such as breed, age, coat which is used as a management tool to estimate energy reserves color, body condition, and stocking density can also contribute in the form of fat and muscle of livestock, and to evaluate their to just how cold the animals feel this is called cold stress. nutritional status. Body condition affects the amount and type of The thickness of the animal's coat, and if the coat is wet or winter-feed supplements that will be required to maintain current dry, effects the insulation value of the coat. A wet coat increas- body condition, and influences subsequent growth, reproduction, es heat loss up to as much as 40 percent. This causes the milk production, and life span. Scores are subjectively assigned, animal to burn its own energy to maintain body temperature.

4 Ranging from one for severely emaciat- The temperature at which an animal ed to five for very obese, with a BCS in begins to use additional energy is the middle range considered as opti- called the lower critical temperature mum. (LCT). The LCT varies depending on The Henneke Body Condition both the severity of the environmental Scoring System, the one most recog- conditions and the individual animal's nized for use in horses, utilizes a one factors. The lower the critical tempera- through nine score with a score of ture, the higher energy requirements five indicating ideal body condition. are for the animal. Indications of cold A BCS score can be determined stress include abnormal posture, shiv- and assigned by visual appraisal, but ering, and huddling. palpation of the animal's condition During extreme cold weather condi- may be more reliable especially for tions, livestock caregivers need to pro- animals with thick hair coats.

5 Long, vide adequate feed and ample supply dark colored hair can make an accu- of water. When water is restricted, rate visual assessment difficult. feed intake will also be reduced. Low BCS and significant weight Melvin, the Haflinger cross pony is Ready for Winter . (continued on Page 3). C o n n e c t i c u t W e e k l y A g r i c u l t u r a l R e p o r t 2. NORTHEAST EGGS/USDA WHOLESALE FRUITS & VEGETABLES MIDDLESEX LIVESTOCK AUCTION. Per doz. Grade A and Grade A white Boston Terminal and Wholesale Grower Prices Middlefield, CT - October 29, 2018. in cartons to retailers (volume buyers). CONNECTICUT AND NEW ENGLAND GROWN. XTRA LARGE LOW HIGH. LARGE LOW HIGH. Bob Calves: MEDIUM .77 .90 45-60 lbs. ALFALFA SPROUTS, 5 LBS 61-75 lbs. NEW ENGLAND SHELL EGGS APPLE, CRTLND, 80, CRT, XFCY 76-90 lbs. Per doz. Grade A brown in APPLE, CRTLND, 88, CRT, XFCY carton delivered store door.

6 (Range). 91-105 lbs. APPLE, GALA, LOOSE, NG 106 lbs. & up XTRA LARGE APPLE, HNYCRSP,80,CRT,XFCY LARGE Farm Calves APPLE, HNYCRSP,88,CRT,XFCY Starter Calves n/a n/a MEDIUM APPLE, MAC, 80, CRT, XFCY SMALL .82 .92 Veal Calves APPLE, MAC, 88, CRT, XFCY Feeder Heifers LANCASTER, PA LIVESTOCK APPLE, MAC,100, CRT, XFCY Beef Heifers Avg. Dressing. Per cwt. Unless noted APPLE, MAC,125, CRT Feeder Steers SLAUGHTER STEERS APPLE, MAC,138, CRT Beef Steers Hi Ch/Prime 3-4 APPLE, MACOUN,80,CRT,XFCY Feeder Bulls Choice 2-3 APPLE, CRISPIN, BU, NG Beef Bulls SLAUGHTER HOLSTEINS BEAN SPROUTS,10 LBS Replacement Cows n/a n/a Choice 2-3 BEAN SPROUTS, 12-12 OZ Replacement Heifers n/a n/a Select 1-2 BEETS, RED, BNCH, 12S, CRT Boars n/a n/a SLAUGHTER HEIFERS BEETS, CHIOGGA,BNCH,12S,CRT Sows n/a n/a Hi Ch/Prime 3-4 BEETS, GOLD, BNCH, 12S, CRT Butcher Hogs n/a n/a Choice 2-3 BROCC, BNCH, 14S, CRT Feeder Pigs each n/a n/a Select 1-2 CIDER, 4 1 GALLON Sheep each CALVES - Graded bull CIDER, 9-1/2 GALLON Lambs each No 1 90-118 lbs Goats each CORN, ORN,INDIAN,BNCH, 20-3S SLAUGHTER COWS Avg.

7 Dressing Kid Goats each CORN, ORN, POP, BNCH, 20-3S breakers 75-80% lean Canners up to boners 80-85% lean CORN, ORN, MINI, BNCH, 20-3S CORNSTALKS, /BUNDLE, 5 Cutters lean 88-90% lean Utility Grade Cows SLAUGHTER LAMBS: Wooled & Shorn CRANBERRIES, 24-12 OZ Rabbits each Markets: Choice and Prime 2-3 GOURDS, ORNAMENT, 1/2 BU Chickens each 90-110 lbs GOURDS,ORN,SHELLACK 1/2 BU Ducks each n/a n/a 110-130 lbs PMPKN, PIE, OR, 1/2 BU, M The Auction will be held November 12. 130-150 lbs PMPKN, PIE, OR, 24 BIN, M 150-200 lbs PMPKN, PIE, OR, 36 BIN, M SLAUGHTER EWES: Good 2-3. RETAIL GRASS FED BISON MEAT. PMPKN, HEIRLOOM, 1/2 BU, M 80-120 lbs $/lb. Frozen. October 18, 2018. RUTABAGAS, 50 LB, CRT, M RIBEYE STEAKS 120-160 lbs SQUASH, ACORN, 1-1/9, M-L 160-200 lbs FILET MIGNON SQUASH, BUTTERCUP, 1-1/9,M-L NEW YORK STRIP 200-300 lbs SQUASH, BUTTERNUT, 1-1/9, M-L SLAUGHTER KIDS: Sel 1 FLAT IRON SQUASH, CARNIVAL, 1-1/9, L FLANK STEAK 40-60 lbs SQUASH, DELICATA, 1-1/9, L 60-80 lbs SKIRT STEAK SQUASH, BLUE HUB,1-1/9, L CHUCK ROAST 80-100 lbs SQUASH, KABOCHA, 1-1/9, M-L EYE OF ROUND ROAST SLAUGHTER NANNIES/DOES: Sel 1.

8 SQUASH, SPAGHETTI, 1-1/9, M-L TOP SIRLOIN 80-130 lbs 130-180 lbs STRAW BALE, STAND, 1 BALE SIRLOIN TIP SLAUGHTER BUCKS/BILLIES: Sel 1 STRAW BALE, MINI, 1 BALE BRISKET 100-150 lbs TOMS, GHS, 15 LBS, VINERIPE, L RIBS n/a n/a 150-250 lbs TOMS, GHS,25 LBS,VINERIPE,S-M PRIME RIB TOMS, GHS, ONVINE,11 LBS,S-M TENDERLOIN NEW HOLLAND, PA. HOG AUCTION TOM,GHS,CHRRY,10 LB CRT,S-M STEW MEAT Per cwt. TOM,GHS,CHRRY,5 LB FLAT,S-M JERKY SLAUGHTER HOGS TOM,GHS,CHRRY,8-10 OZ, S-M HEARTS 52-56 200-300 lbs LIVERS 300-350 lbs TONGUES 48-52 200-300 lbs BOSTON MARKET ORGANIC. Price Range. Per unit. HOT DOGS 300-350 lbs GROUND BISON: 350-400 lbs CABBAGE, 45 LB, CRT, M-L BULK LEAN Sows, US 1-3 EGGPLANT, WRPPD, 1-1/9, M PATTIES 300-500 lbs KALE, BNCH, 12S, CRT 500-700 lbs MESCULIN MIX, 3 LB, CRT Boars NEW HOLLAND, PA HAY REPORT. PEPPERS, RED,11 LB, CRT Price per ton, small squares. Oct. 26, 2018. 300-350 lbs PEPPERS, YELLOW,11 LB, CRT ALFALFA/GRASS.

9 400-1000 lbs PEPPERS, ORANGE,11 LB, CRT SUPREME SPINACH, BABY, CA, 4 LB, CRT PREMIUM BOSTON MARKET CUT FLOWERS. Wholesale. $/unit listed. SQUASH, ACORN, BU, CRT, M GOOD Long stem unless noted. November 6, 2018. SQUASH, BUTTERCUP,BU,CRT,M GRASS HAYS. SNAPDRGN, NENG 10/BU SQUASH, BUTTERNUT,BU,CRT,M PREMIUM SOLIDAGO, NENG /BN SQUASH, DELICATA, BU, CRT, M GOOD SUNFLWR,NENG, 5/BN SQUASH, SPAGHETTI, BU,CRT,M FAIR SUNFLWR, NENG, EA SWEET POTATOES, 40 LB, CRT STRAW C o n n e c t i c u t W e e k l y A g r i c u l t u r a l R e p o r t 3. (continued from Page 1). ADVERTISEMENTS. The following is an estimate of the gallons of water that the various species will consume daily: cattle (7 to 12); goats and FOR SALE. sheep (1 to 4); hogs (6 to 8); horses (8 to 12): and llamas (2 to 5). 1-R. Blumenthal & Donahue is now Connecticut's first independent NATIONWIDE Agri-Business Insurance Agency.

10 Christmas tree growers, beekeepers, sheep breeders, organic farmers and all others, call us for all your insurance needs. 800-554-8049 or 2-R. Farm, homeowner and commercial insurance . we do it all. Call Blumenthal & Donahue 800-554-8049 or 3-R. Gallagher electric fencing for farms, horses, deer control, gardens, & beehives. Sonpal's Power Fence 860-491-2290. 4-R. Packaging for egg sales. New egg cartons, flats, egg cases, 30 doz and 15 doz. Polinsky Farm 860-376-2227. Heneke scale body areas. 5-R. Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Program, Image courtesy of Summit Equine Nutrition LLC. endorsed by the CT Farm Bureau, save up to 23% on Providing more hay (good quality) is usually sufficient for your farm insurance and get better protection. Refer- horses, cattle, and sheep to weather storms. Increasing the total ences available from satisfied farmers. Call Marci today daily hay amount slowly and steadily in the days leading up to the at 203-444-6553.