The Cow Forecast: The cows are lying down, is it going to rain?

By Erin Frederick

I was driving to a meeting with a colleague a few weeks ago and passed a dairy farm along the way.  As we drove by, conversation turned to the “cow ‘cast’”.  Old folklore claims that if the cows are lying down in the fields, rain is on the way.   Can seated cows really predict the weather? If half of the cows are standing, and the other half are down, does that mean there is a 50% chance of rain?   Not likely. 

Cows lie down for many reasons and most likely, they’re just resting and chewing their cud – a task that could take them 8 hours per day, for almost 30,000 chews daily.  Cud is the portion of food returned from their first stomach to be chewed a second time and re-swallowed.  Like other ruminant animals (i.e., deer, sheep, goats), cows have 4 stomach compartments, each designed to perform a different function.  Having multiple stomach compartments allows the cows to digest foods high in cellulose, like grass and hay, which humans and non-ruminant animals (i.e., pigs, chickens) cannot digest with only one stomach compartment.  The cow’s knack for digesting grasses allows us to produce a food source on lands that are generally not suitable for crops.   Utilizing areas with poor soil quality for grass that cows can turn into food for all of us, improves the efficiency of our food production. 

In conclusion, the cows are just biding their time chewing, and are not a substitute for Doppler radar. 

 

Photo courtesy of Lehigh Co. Farmland Preservation

Support Your Farmer: 

LEHIGH VALLEY:  Klein Farms – Dairy and Creamery is located in Forks Township, Northampton County, about 6 miles north of Easton’s Centre Square. Klein Farms has been in business since 1935. The farm is run by Layne and Beth Klein who are third generation farmers on the current property. The farm has gone through many structural changes over the years, but one thing remains the same...quality animals and a quality product. Klein Farms is now pleased to offer gourmet cheese, raw milk, eggs and farm raised beef. Layne and Beth welcome you to the farm and hope you enjoy this site. Come and visit!!  Catch them on the 2013 Northampton County Open Gate Farm Tour on October 12th & 13th!

BERKS: Way-Har Farms is located in Bernville, Berks County. They farm on 450 acres, raising corn, alfalfa, soybeans and wheat to feed to their cattle.   They have a milking herd that consists of Holsteins, Jerseys, Brown Swiss, Milking Shorthorns and Ayrshires. Their farm market highlights their milk, bakery items,  handmade chocolates, candy and  ICE CREAM (at the height of the ice cream season, you can find over 60 flavors).

Sources: Oklahoma 4H, University of Kentucky Extension