The following information was contributed by the Alabama Veterinary Emergency Response Team.

Planning and Protecting Financial Investments

Developing emergency plans well in advance of an event provides one of the best mechanisms for livestock operations to mitigate flood risk. Facility and equipment damage, loss of cattle, and a decrease in animal health and production can have serious economic effects on an operation. Producers should consider purchasing insurance policies focused on protecting their financial operations rather than depending solely on potential support from the federal government.

A detailed inventory list and photographs of equipment (including make and model), supplies, hazardous chemicals, fertilizer, and fuel should be readily available before and after an event. A detailed and current livestock inventory and herd records are also must-haves.

Maximize Herd Health

Cattle that are sheltered in place or evacuated will be stressed and may be commingled with other cattle, so herd biosecurity may be breeched. Healthy cattle endure this stress with fewer health and production effects. Maintaining cattle in good body condition and keeping vaccination protocols up to date are imperative.

Animal Identification and Recordkeeping

Disaster-ready animal identification and recordkeeping should be part of normal operations. Copies of records should be stored in a remote location or in cloud-based programs. Access to herd records, proof of ownership, and registration papers may be necessary. Store original papers in a portable, fire-and-flood-proof box that can be taken during an evacuation. In the event that cattle get evacuated and commingled, or escape and are later captured, it is essential to be able to identify the herd of origin. Many cattle look alike, and plain numbered dangle tags and tattoos may be duplicated by other producers. Tags can also be cut out by rustlers, who may take advantage of disaster situations.

Hot or freeze branding with a registered brand is the most foolproof way of identifying the herd of origin. If cattle aren’t branded, producers should at least identify the farm or ranch on the dangle tag or use official United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) identification that is unique to each individual animal. Pictures and videos can also help with identification. In emergency situations where there is not time to uniquely identify animals, the ranch name, location, and contact number can be spray-painted on the animals.

Stockmanship

Low-stress cattle handling is also a critical component of disaster planning for beef cattle operations. Cattle behavior can drastically change following a flood or other major weather event, making them reluctant to be driven or corralled. Herds that are used to low-stress handling techniques make rescue efforts and movements before, during, or after an event safer and less stressful for both cattle and handlers. Being able to quietly move cattle may be the difference between life and death.

Livestock operations that are at risk for flooding should have evacuation and/or shelter-in-place emergency plans in place. The farm’s veterinarian can help with biosecurity concerns and movement papers if necessary. If evacuating cattle is not possible, they should be left in large, open pastures. Topography and flood maps and maps of fences, gates, and roads make moving cattle during and after an event safer. Minimize the presence of equipment, supplies, and debris that may become airborne with high winds or encountered in floodwaters.

• Keep trees trimmed around barns, roads, and fences.
• Keep tin on barns and shops secure.
• Attach extra guide wires to augers on grain bins.
• Maintain cattle trailers in good working condition.
• Keep penning and loading facilities in good working order
• Make fencing repairs in a timely manner.

Providing fresh water, food, and shelter will be most critical immediately after an event. Especially during flooding, strategically locating equipment and supplies that cannot be evacuated to high ground will make sheltering-in-place a more viable option. Items to consider moving to high ground include the following:

• Tractors and equipment for moving hay, repairing fences, and transporting livestock.
• Round bales of high-quality hay.
• Emergency water supplies. Used chemical storage tanks should not be used for storing emergency supplies of water.
• Water and feed troughs. These should be filled with water or placed inside of a livestock trailer.
• Fence repair supplies or portable panels (placed inside of a trailer).
• Hand pumps or generators in case of electrical outages.

Preparedness Checklist

• Make sure family and farm personnel are safe.
• Move cattle to the safest, predetermined location.
• If time doesn’t permit, open gates and/or cut fences to allow cattle to seek high ground or other safe locations themselves.
• Check emergency supplies of feed and water.
• Fill emergency water tanks with fresh water.
• Move equipment to safe location.
• Set up a generator in place before storm.
• Fill all tractors, vehicles, generators, and storage containers with fuel.
• Secure equipment, logs, fuel tanks, feed troughs and bins, etc. that are prone to floating or being blown away.
• Remove shade cloth from portable shade structures.
• Seal the well cap and top of well casing.
• Turn off water and electricity.

Chance Armstrong, Associate Clinical Professor, Theriogenology, Auburn University, and member of the Alabama Veterinary Emergency Response Team; and Christine Navarre, Extension Veterinarian and Professor, Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University