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Extreme cold killed 83 cattle on five farms in Mato Grosso do Sul, with cases concentrated in Nova Andradina and Angélica, after a sharp drop in temperature, cold wind, high humidity, and lack of shelter
The extreme cold killed 83 cattle from hypothermia in Mato Grosso do Sul, after temperatures below 7°C, wind chill close to 0°C, cold wind, and high humidity hit farms in Nova Andradina and Angélica. The occurrences are being monitored by IAGRO, which is analyzing the episodes and the extent of the damage.
Extreme cold concentrated deaths on five farms
The deaths were recorded on five rural properties. In Nova Andradina, 74 cattle died on four farms. In Angélica, a neighboring municipality, another nine deaths occurred on a single property.
The total number reached 83 cattle dead during the peak of extreme cold that hit Mato Grosso do Sul. The animals were exposed in open areas, without shelter from the wind and humidity.
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The cold does not relent in the Center-South, and new cold air masses advancing between Thursday and Saturday will keep temperatures low from Rio Grande do Sul to Espírito Santo, reaching part of the Northeast, without affecting the Center-West and North of the country.
The State Agency for Animal and Plant Health Defense, IAGRO, is monitoring the cases to investigate the causes and assess the impacts on the cattle herd of Mato Grosso do Sul.
Hypothermia was pointed out as the main cause
The main cause indicated in the reports is hypothermia. The condition occurs when the animal loses body heat rapidly and excessively, compromising the functioning of vital organs.
The situation was aggravated by the combination of low temperatures, continuous wind gusts, and high humidity. This mixture reduces the natural protection of the fur and makes it difficult to maintain body temperature.
Cattle are more adapted to warm climates. Therefore, sudden drops in temperature can cause severe physiological difficulties, especially when the animals remain unprotected in the pasture.
Lack of shelter increases the risk in the herd
The case shows the practical impact of management during intense cold fronts. Without shelter, the pasture ceases to be just a feeding area and exposes the herd to cold, wind, and humidity.
Sector technicians point out that cattle resistance varies according to age, breed, and nutritional status. Calves and young animals are more vulnerable, while some breeds withstand the cold better.
Nutritional status also matters. Poorly fed animals or those without body energy reserves have more difficulty producing internal heat and coping with severe thermal stress.
Mato Grosso do Sul already had greater losses in 2023
The extreme cold has already caused significant losses in the state. In the winter of 2023, Mato Grosso do Sul recorded the death of more than 2,500 cattle due to similar cold fronts.
The comparison shows that the current number is lower, but the risk remains when there is a lack of shelter and proper management. Even with some greater preparation among producers, the tragedy occurred again in exposed areas.
This article was prepared based on information from the base material provided about cattle deaths in Mato Grosso do Sul, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.
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