SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2019 | Page 1C
Serving rural Benton County, Morrison,
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Sauk Rapids Herald
Morrison County Milk Project fuels minds, bodies Rudolph distributes dairy at extracurricular activities BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
LITTLE FALLS – For the last month, Brenda Rudolph’s evenings have not been filled with family dinners and relaxing couch-time. Instead, Rudolph has braved snow-covered roads and frigid temperatures as she makes her way across Morrison County for one cause: to get milk in the hands of kids. Rudolph, who milks 80 cows in rural Little Falls with her husband Nathan and children Everett and Vivian, has distributed free milk to over 500 children in the last four weeks as part of the Morrison County Milk Project. The “Raising a Farmer” blogger attends extra-curricular practices, events and games and distributes pint-sized white whole and 2 percent chocolate milk to participants. The youth can take as much milk as they want. “I’m really happy with how it is going,” Rudolph said. “I wasn’t anticipating it to be so successful. It’s pretty amazing to see an idea turn into something amazing in a short amount of time.” The Morrison County Milk Project, which encompasses both
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Milk page 2C
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2019
Livestock producers fight cold weather hazards Miller, Molitor, Rahm recommend solutions to keep animals safe BY ELIZABETH HOAG STAFF WRITER
FOLEY – With the dip in temperatures and the accumulation of snow, everyone is taking refuge inside to hide from the blistering elements of Mother Nature. For livestock producers, while freezing pipes, unplowed driveways and icy roadways are deemed as a concern, the wellbeing of livestock serves as a top priority. Dr. Bonnie Miller and dairy farmers Jerry Molitor and Andi Rahm, provided insight and suggestions on how to properly and safely tend to large livestock during the negative-degree climates. “Depending on the animal, the cold weather affects each one differently,” Miller said. “Calves and smaller livestock like sheep and goats are more vulnerable to the cold, but overall the decrease in temperatures increases an animal’s energy requirement to stay warm and maintain their body functions.” Miller is a veterinarian with Mille Lacs Veterinary Clinic in Foley. During her 16 years of working
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HOAG
Andi Rahm (from left), Brandi Bork and Dr. Bonnie Miller stand outside Feb. 11 in Ronneby. Rahm has her horses wear blankets to conserve energy during the winter months.
experience, she has witnessed cattle and equine suffer from hypothermia, frostbite and death. “Every situation is different,” Miller said. “For example, during this time of year, many beef herds are starting their calving seasons. When a cow is giving birth, it
is very important to provide a sheltered area out of the wind and cold temperatures. It is very easy to lose a calf in these conditions.” Miller has also witnessed large livestock suffer injuries resulting from trauma after a fall on or through the ice. “Frozen ground and
snow-covered pasture can make walking across pasture dangerous for livestock,” she said. “Falls can result in torn muscles or ligaments, broken limbs and hypothermia which could lead to death.” The large animal vet also
Cold weather page 3C
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