SASKATOON (Staff) – Cattle can’t skate and swimming isn’t an option at -40 C.
Tom Olenyshyn, of Mayfair, Sask., recently found 42 of his 100 head of cattle wallowing in three metres of water on his farm. None survived.
“There’s not usually much water in that spot by wintertime. I had no idea it was so deep or (the ice) so weak,” said Olenyshyn.
The cattle had gathered near a beaver dam in the middle of a 20X30 metre slough. The animals broke through along the dam and were unable to climb out of the frigid water.
Olenyshyn, with the help of a neighbor and his tractor, managed to pull seven cattle from the water using a rope. Two lived a short time; the rest died before they could be hauled out. The farmer said it was so cold his own tractors wouldn’t start.
“I’ve got 35 (animals) trapped under the ice until spring… I’ve been raising cattle nearly 50 years and I’ve never had anything like this happen,” he said.
