Winter Storm Stops Traffic But Not Farmers In North Louisiana

By Josh Meeks

Louisiana Farm Bureau News

Just north of Interstate 20 in Claiborne Parish, winter weather doesn’t stop the work at Marsalis Cattle.

When Mitch Marsalis began his morning chores, temperatures hovered around 23 degrees with sleet falling— conditions that would send most people back indoors. For Marsalis, it meant an extra layer of responsibility. 

His first stop, though, wasn’t the cattle, but the chickens. 

“We’re checking the temperatures, just making sure our sensors were good, making sure the heat in the houses were okay, and making sure that they’re going to stay warm enough,” Marsalis said. 

Once he confirmed the heaters were holding the poultry houses at about 65 degrees, his attention shifted to his cattle herd. The day had originally been scheduled for artificial insemination, part of a carefully-timed breeding protocol. However, the weather reminds farmers who’s really in charge. 

“We started the protocol 10 days ago on these heifers,” he said.  “Well, we looked at that forecast. Today was supposed to be 48 to 49 degrees. A little bit of rain this evening was supposed to be about 27, 28. And now we’ve gonna have, you know, 25 today with sleet.” 

While freezing precipitation sounds miserable, Marsalis explained that sleet or snow can actually be better for livestock than cold rain. Frozen moisture can sit on the animals’ hides and provide a layer of insulation, while cold rain can soak through hair and increase the risk of pneumonia. 

Still, management adjustments are necessary no matter what the weather. In a clearing between the trees, Marsalis rolled out hay for his heifers, giving them both feed and a windbreak. In another pen, he prepared bedding for his steers.  

“That first bale we went through there and we just, we threw it out and it’ll give them a dry place to lay down, you know, stay out of this. We’ll probably put another roll out. We’ll look at it here, you know, this evening, and if we think they need another one, we’ll sling another one out. And then in the morning we’ll put another one out and we’ll do that. And, you know, just trying to keep them warm.” 

Marsalis has noticed the animals making their own preparations as well. 

“Pretty amazing over the last three to four days,” he said. “Even these Brangus heifers, this Brahman influence, they put on some hair, you know, ahead of the storm and prepared themselves. But leather’sthick. You think about your truck seats, you know?” 

Long days in harsh weather can be draining, but Marsalis says caring for livestock is more than a job, it’s a calling. 

“Yeah, there’s a lot of things that I could be doing,” he said.  “In all reality we’re farmers and, you know, this is our heart and everything. So no matter the temperature, whether it’s 25 degrees or 105 degrees, we’re still going to be out here and we’re still love doing it. And it just makes it a little, a little tougher at times.”  

That sense of duty extends beyond his own fences. After tending to his animals, Marsalis uses his tractor to help clear nearby roads. 

“You’ve got to help your neighbors because at some point you’re going to need your neighbors help,” he said.  “We’re all in this together. You know, nobody’s in this alone.”