'Someone has to look after them': P.E.I. livestock owners work extra hard in storms

People aren't the only ones sheltering from the storm livestock on P.E.I. are also doing their best to keep warm and dry.Livestock farmers and stable owners are among thosewho have extra work aheadof them when the Island seemingly shuts down.

P.E.I. experienced whiteout conditions for much of Monday as the blizzard that pounded Nova Scotia and New Brunswick blew on to the Island midday.

JanaHemphill, owner of Storybook Stables in Brookfield, P.E.I.,has about30 horses as well as goats, sheep, pigs and other farm animals. She brought in extra staff Monday morning to prepare for the impending storm.

"We all like to be tucked in nice and warm and watching Netflix, but the animals have to eat and they have to have water, and so someone has to look after them," Hemphill said."We don't expect people to drive in but there's got tobe someone here working."

Emergencies are a concern

Staff brought in extra bedding, water, and made sure everything was clean before the snow started to fly.Hemphilland another staff memberlive on site,sosomeone is always close to the animals, she said.

Melissa Larter is owner ofTwisted Hill Stables in New Haven, and stables nine horses.

Before the storm rolled inMonday morning, one of Larter'shorses got sick.

She was able to deal with it on her own, but said emergencies are a concern in poor weatherbecause vets can't always travel.

Also, it's important to make sure you have enough supplies including food, water and power for the animals,Lartersaid.

"We do have a big generator here that powers the whole farm, but just in case, we have the water ready. You just never know if things are going to not comply," she said.

Dairy cows in for the storm

MichaelCarmichael, owner ofCarmichaelFarmsLtd.in Albany, P.E.I., has 150 cattle his priority is to ensure the livestock have enough water, bedding and feed.

The biggest challenge is making sure the milk is picked up, he shared.

"ADL picks up our milk every second day," Carmichael said. "We are very fortunate that yesterday was our pick up day. So we will be good, and our milk tank we can hold it until Tuesday evening."

Randall Affleck at Auchinleck Farm in Lower Bedeque, P.E.I.,has 110 animals, and ensures he closes up all the doors tightly and plugs as many holes as possible to keep the snow from driving in.

Maintaining power can be another challenge, he said,because there are so many things relying onthegenerator but a limited amount of power that can be drawn from it.

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