Producers, Prepare!

Do you think being prepared is just for people living in the suburbs or in a city such as New Orleans? If so, think again. Being prepared is crucial to everyone, regardless of where you live or what you do for a living.

If you live in the Southeast, you will feel, at some point, the effects of a hurricane or tropical storm. Much of the damage comes from too much rain. Many times that excessive amount of rain results in ruined crops, shortened harvest times, and waterlogged pastureland.

One step producers can take to be prepared is to make sure that they have adequate crop and livestock insurance. Because the Federal Crop Insurance Act does not cover some agricultural commodities, producers may be able to take advantage of the noninsured crop disaster assistance program (NAP).  A new disaster assistance program known as SURE (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program) is also available from the Farm Service Agency/USDA to cover losses that insurance does not cover.

In addition to buying insurance, producers can take steps to secure their farms when a tropical storm or hurricane is predicted to track through their part of the world. These preparation steps may include the following:

• Secure loose items.
• Drain or build levees around ponds that could flood.
• Develop a list of resources (for example, suppliers, truckers, extra workers that can help with animals).
• Stockpile appropriate supplies.
• Ensure that animals’ vaccinations are up-to-date and that you have a record of the immunizations and booster shots.
• Move machinery, feed, grain, pesticides, and herbicides to higher elevations.
• Construct mounds of soil or open gates for livestock to escape high water.
• Determine evacuation procedures, routes, and places for animals if they must be evacuated.
• Determine if it is best to move farm animals to shelter or leave them outside.

Farming is a tough business. Help lower some of the risks by taking steps to prepare for disasters.  For more information, contact Dr. James Novak, an Extension specialist in agricultural economics and rural sociology. You may also want to visit the following sites:

News Alerts (Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries)

Animal Safety (Alabama Cooperative Extension System)

Farm Recovery (The Disaster Handbook, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida)

Protecting Livestock During a Flood (Alabama Cooperative Extension System)

 Return to Ready Tips