Local Farmers Working Overtime Dealing With Cold

Farmers say that when it gets far below freezing more work is required to make sure parts do not freeze and break and animals are getting the right care.

"I noticed that the lows were going to be in the 20s," Ron Baron owner of Baron Farms tells KNDO News. "I really didn't anticipate the single digits and that took us by surprise."

A surprise Baron was not quite ready for and that is why he is now dealing with some broken pipes that are used to get fresh water to his animals.

"They get cold," said Baron. "They get brittle, the ice expands and when the ice starts expanding it starts cracking the plastic."

Baron said it is not an expensive fix, but it is labor intensive. As the cold settles Baron said it takes more work and long hours making sure animals are properly attended.

"Animals need things," said Baron. "They need water, they need food and any time the weather gets in the way of that it obviously causes some additional work or labor or some problems. Things break and they got to get fixed and when you're fixing things when it's seven degrees, it's uncomfortable. And it just takes a lot longer."

Baron said while it is brisk out these days the current temperatures are not putting the farm animals under any distress.