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Emergency Planning for the Farm & LivestockCorey Childs

Extension agent

Why be concerned… North Carolina, 1999 –

Hurricane Floyd Over 3 million pets, livestock lost

Louisiana, 2005 – Hurricane Katrina ~500 horses rescued by LSART Over 300 dogs, other livestock MS, LA estimated over 7 million

livestock lost (not including pets)

The Problems Floyd

Lack of coordinated response and planning

Katrina, Rita – despite LSART Many people had no plan for the animals Systems in place simply overwhelmed Some unconsidered issues

Security, Celebrity Animals Unneeded supplies Volunteers without training

Many won’t leave animals

What Can Hit You?

Natural Disasters Drought Flood Hurricanes Tornados Wildfires Winter storms

Terrorist Attacks Damage property Destroy property Economic hardship Farm Events Barn fire Vehicular incident Biosecurity

What Should You Protect? People

Family Co-workers, employees Emergency responders

Places Farm and storage buildings Machinery

Animals, crops, chemicals Food, water, supplies

What Can You Do? PLAN AHEAD!

Type of disaster? Major vulnerabilities? How minimize damage? Plans in place?

Best time you ever wasted! Greater preservation of life, property Faster recovery time, resume productivity

How do I provide for basic needs in times of disaster?

Develop a “Active” Disaster Management Plan for the home, farm and/or business

Action Steps Should include:

Plan Prepare

Perform Recover

Plan

Sit down with your management team and design a common sense, thorough, highly effective, easy to use Disaster Management plan.Have it reviewed by others

“What did I forget”

Before The Disaster… Survey your property

Look for potential off site hazards Alternate water sources Identify Potential Evacuation Routes

Make lists and keep updated Animals, equipment (make and model), supplies Hazardous materials

Pesticides, fertilizer Fuel Other chemicals or medications

Conduct “on site” inspections

Carefully look over your premises for these potential dangers. Failing structuresFire risksElectrical risksFlooding risksDrifting snow or “Ice sheet” risksStumps, holes, damaged or dead trees others

Prepare:

Keep up with current events, weather and news. Many disaster or high risk situations come

with a few days notice.

Ensure accessible, “secure” supply of feed, water and protection from wind.

Ensure all animals have some form of identification that will help facilitate their return.

Prepare … Vehicles – trucks, trailers, etc.

Maintenance, fuel Insurance

Animals Train to load and travel Strange/different clothing, people, conditions Prioritize – trailer space?

Train people PRACTICE THE PLAN

Are you a Livestock Owner?

If you own and/or provide care for large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, llama, alpaca or others….

or,

Groups of small animals (ex: chickens, ducks, dogs and cats) on your property.

You are a Livestock Owner

Responsibilities……

As a Livestock owner you are bound to a duty of care and subsequent actions to provide basic necessities for these animals under your care.

What are the Basic needs?

Food Water Shelter Safe environment

Questions to ask? What is the best method for keeping your livestock safe?

Should livestock be left in the pasture or placed in the barn? Should I keep livestock in barbed wire or electric fencing during

a storm. Do I have shallow rooted trees that will fall easily under

hurricane- or straight line force winds and can injure livestock or destroy the fencing?

Well-constructed pole barns or concrete block barns may provide safety from flying debris, but the livestock may become trapped if wind collapses the building.

Should I keep livestock out of pastures with power lines?

What about “High Risk” animals

Evacuate high risk animals or animals in high risk situations animals whenever possible. Arrangements for evacuation, including routes and host sites, should be made in advance. Alternate routes should be mapped out in case the planned route is inaccessible.

The evacuation sites should have or be able to readily obtain food, water, veterinary care, handling equipment and facilities.

Notify authorities in advance if you have special needs situations. “extreme special needs only”

Keep accurate records and inventory and important information

ID animals – Permanent/Temporary Tattoo, chip, brand, tag, photo/drawing Age, sex, breed, color Paint/etch hooves, grease paint Secure ID on animals

Keep health records up-to-date Feeding instructions Vaccines, Coggins Medication instructions Vet contact info

Collect Local Information

Local Fire Department Local Animal Control Local Feed/Hay Dealer Local Vet (regular and emergency) Local Extension Office Regional VDOT office

Sometimes Evacuation is the only safe Evacuation of flood plains and coastal areas

is usually recommended, and should occur 48 hours before storms or expected damaging events occur in the area.

Transportation of livestock when wind gusts exceed 40 mph is dangerous, and trailers may not be allowed across bridges for safety reasons.

Evacuation continued:

Make available vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal. Also make available experienced handlers and drivers.

Cold Weather Guidelines:When temperatures plunge below zero, livestock producers

need to give extra attention to their animals. Prevention is the key to dealing with hypothermia, frostbite and other cold weather injuries in livestock.

Making sure your livestock have the following help prevent cold-weather maladies:

Shelter if possible

Plenty of dry bedding to insulate vulnerable udders, genitals and legs from the frozen ground and frigid winds.

Windbreaks to keep animals safe from frigid conditions.

Access of food and water

Winter’s special needs: Also, take extra time to observe livestock, looking

for early signs of disease and injury.

Severe cold-weather injuries or death primarily occur in the very young or in animals that are already debilitated. particularly pneumonia.

Animals suffering from frostbite don’t exhibit pain. It may be up to two weeks before the injury becomes

evident as freeze-damaged tissue starts to slough away. At that point, the injury should be treated as an open wound and a veterinarian should be consulted.

If Disaster Strikes

PerformRemain calmEnsure your own safety firstFollow your plan

During The Disaster…

STAY CALM, FOLLOW THE PLAN! Listen to the Emergency Broadcast System

Follow official advice

If evacuate Take records and kits Call ahead to confirm destination Let people know you’re leaving, where you’re going,

and how you’re getting there Let people know when you arrive

After the Disaster

Inspect your premises carefully before turning out. Look for foreign materials such as tin, glass or nails, downed trees or limbs, and damaged fences or power lines. Be careful leaving your animals unattended outside. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered, and your livestock could easily become confused and lost.

After The Disaster… Notify people you’re home

Friends/family Officials

Inventory Pictures/video everything Report hazards

Check utilities before re-engaging Farm security from looters, exploiters, etc

Recovery Check with your local veterinarian or the state

veterinarian’s office for information of any disease threats that may exist because of the situation.

If your animals have been lost, or if you find someone else’s livestock, you have several options. By contacting local farmers, farriers, veterinarians, animal control, extension office or the local disaster response team or by listening to the Emergency Broadcast System, you’ll most likely find out how to log lost or found animals.

Lost Livestock

If you have lost livestock, be prepared to identify them and document ownership. This is where your identification packet comes in handy.

In the event that you find lost animals, use extreme caution in handling them. If possible, work in pairs for safety. Keep the lost

animals(s) contained and isolated, and notify authorities as soon as possible.

Farm Disaster Assistance Emergency Conservation Program - emergency funding for

farmers/ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by wind erosion, floods, or other disasters.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program - financial assistance to eligible producers affected by natural disasters; covers non-insurable crop losses, planting prevented by disasters.

Emergency Loan Assistance Program - emergency loans to help producers recover from production/physical losses due to drought, floods, other natural disasters, or quarantine.

Emergency Haying and Grazing Assistance Program - emergency haying and grazing of certain Conservation Reserve Program acreage in areas suffering from weather-related disasters.

Miscellaneous Ideas Learn to use a fire extinguisher, generator Invite local fire department to inspect

farm or VDOT to inspect potentially impassable roadways

Buddy system with neighbors as well as friends out of area

Consider using SNOW FENCE! PRACTICE THE PLAN!!

Questions?