The year-end blizzard in west Texas and eastern New Mexico killed at least 35,000 dairy cows, says the New York Times, adding, “many other animals developed frostbite and could still die. In West Texas, about 10 percent of the adult herd was lost.” The Times said cattle were buried alive by drifting snow behind windbreaks while others froze in open fields. “Farmers are figuring out their losses — one estimated that each dairy cow would cost about $2,200 to replace. But the financial hit will come not only from the cows that died, but also from the loss in productivity among those that survived — and that is what has made the loss so difficult to quantify.”
Dairy Herd Management cited a Texas Association of Dairymen official who estimated losses at 40,000 head in the storm that brought up to 22 inches of snow and 60 mph winds to the High Plains. “The Texas Association of Dairyman (TAD) is getting in touch with state and federal leaders for assistance. But in addition to the possible 40,000 dairy cattle lost in the region, beef cattle feedlot numbers will take quite a hit as well.”