- published: 10 Feb 2016
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A zud or dzud (Mongolian: зуд) is a Mongolian term for an extremely snowy winter in which livestock are unable to find fodder through the snow cover, and large numbers of animals die due to starvation and the cold. The term is also used for other meteorological conditions, especially in winter, that make livestock grazing impossible.
The economy of Mongolia has long been heavily dependent on pastoral farming, and harsh zuds can cause economic crises and food security issues in the country.
Locals sometimes differentiate between black, white, and iron/ice zuds. The black zud is caused by sparse food in summer and a cold winter in which many animals die of starvation. The white zud is caused by very heavy snow fall, which makes it impossible for the livestock to feed on the otherwise accessible frozen grass, hence they too starve. The iron/ice zud is brought about by rain which freezes and covers the land in ice hindering the animals from feeding on grass or herbs.
Some traditional methods to protect the livestock from such inclement weather conditions include drying and storing cut grass during the summer months, and collecting sheep and goat dung to build dried flammable blocks called "Khurjun". Dried grass can be fed to animals to prevent death from starvation when zud occurs. The "Khurjun", or blocks of sheep and goat dung, were stacked to create a wall that protects the animals from the wind chills, and keep them warm enough to withstand the harsh conditions. These blocks can also be burnt as fuel during the winter. These methods are still practiced today in the westernmost parts of Mongolia, and areas formerly part of the Zuun Gar nation.
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