Tips for Planning Ahead and Protecting Livestock During Disasters

Jun 27, 2023

Educate Yourself on Potential Emergencies

Understanding the range of emergencies that can occur in your region is crucial. In addition to hurricanes and floods, be mindful of everyday challenges like droughts, extreme temperatures, and other hazards that can affect the well-being of your livestock. Stay informed about local risks and prepare accordingly, leveraging resources like the FEMA app for alerts and hazard information.

Prepare a Well-Stocked Emergency Kit

Ensure that your livestock has access to essential supplies by assembling a comprehensive emergency kit, which should include:

Adequate feed and water provisions
Necessary supplements
Up-to-date veterinary records
Proof of ownership documents
Essential supplies such as ropes, halters, cleaning tools, and knives

Regularly assess and replenish the contents of your kit to ensure readiness.

Devise an Effective Evacuation Strategy

In situations where evacuation becomes necessary, plan to safeguard your livestock:

Identify suitable destinations, including friends, relatives, or designated livestock evacuation locations such as fairgrounds.
Make advance arrangements for transportation to move your animals safely.
Mitigate Risks When Leaving Livestock Behind

When evacuation is not feasible, take proactive measures to protect your animals:

Assign unique identification (microchips, ear/leg tags, brands) to each animal.
Construct robust shelters capable of withstanding severe weather conditions, positioning them on elevated ground to avoid flooding.
Provide ample food and water to sustain your livestock for an extended period.
Ensure warm and dry bedding during cold weather or heavy rain.
Offer cooling options like shade, sufficient water sources, open barn doors, fans, or sprinklers during excessively hot periods.
Establish Support Networks

Select a reliable neighbor who can care for your livestock if you are unable to do so during a disaster. Share your evacuation plan, location of the emergency kit, and contact details with them. Reach out to local authorities for assistance when needed, as specialized response teams such as the National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps can address livestock-related disasters and disease outbreaks effectively.

By developing a well-structured plan, you can significantly enhance the safety of your livestock during times of crisis.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.