Cassie LeMaster: 0:00

Welcome to the Extension Connection Podcast. I'm Cassie LeMaster, livestock and equine agent for Polk County, North Carolina. And today we are tackling a topic that's sometimes pushed to the back burner, emergency preparedness. September is National Preparedness month, so it's a great time to sit down and plan for potential disasters. Whether it's a wildfire, a flood, a tropical storm, or even just a long-term power outage. On the farm, having a plan for your animals is just as important as having one for your family. As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. In an emergency, panic and confusion can set in, and you want to be able to act quickly and with a clear head. So let's break down the key elements of a solid emergency plan for your livestock. First and foremost, your plan needs to be a written, well-rehearsed document. Don't just keep it in your head, write it down, and make sure everyone who cares for your animals, family, employees, neighbors, knows the plan and how to implement it. It's also a good idea to review and update it annually. Especially if you have new animals, new equipment, or new potential hazards in your area. So the first step in creating your plan is to identify potential risks in your area. Do you live in a flood plain? Is your property in a high risk wildfire zone? Are blizzards or hurricanes a common threat? Your plan should be tailored to the specific risks that you face. In Polk County, we have seen catastrophic flooding from tropical storm Helene and fast moving wildfires in just the last year. For most of us in the days following Helene power outages complicating well water access was one of the first hurdles to overcome to make sure our animals had access to safe drinking water. If you and your animals rely on well water, a generator purchase should be a serious consideration. If not, you'll need enough vessels to fill with water prior to a potential storm related outage. Power outages during winter ice storms can also occur, and unfortunately, filling extra water tubs doesn't work in that case unless you have a heated barn to keep water from freezing. Next, you'll need to decide on your strategy. Will you evacuate or will you shelter in place? Evacuation is often the safest option for fast moving disasters like wildfires. If you choose to or if you're ordered to evacuate, you need to have a plan in place long before that occurs. This means identifying multiple alternative evacuation sites such as fairgrounds, equestrian centers, or neighboring farms, and confirming their policies and availability in an emergency. There are typically many show facilities in our area that will open to evacuated equines, but other livestock species can be harder to relocate. Check with each facility on whether they accept other livestock species. Also be thinking about biosecurity. If you have to evacuate and shelter your animals with others, you'll want to take measures to prevent the spread of disease. A friend or neighbor with extra pasture space may be the best option. You should also map out primary and alternative evacuation routes to avoid blocked roads. And of course, you need to have a way to transport your animals. Keep your trailers and vehicles well maintained and full of gas practice loading your animals, especially those that are difficult to load so that it's not a struggle when time is of the essence. In the event that you are not home, designate a neighbor or a friend to tend to your livestock. This person should be familiar with your livestock. Know your evacuation procedures. Know where your evacuation kit is kept and have your emergency contact information. Often for large herds or animals that are difficult to move, evacuation isn't possible. In this case, you need to have a predetermined, safe area on your property. For fire, it must be a cleared area with no buildings or trees nearby. For floods, it must be on high ground, and you need to have a way to get feed and water to the animals if your normal access is cut off by flood waters. Take steps to protect your barns and other structures regularly assess the stability and safety of your barns and other structures. Remove any dead trees or other debris in your fields or animal holding locations. Remove or secure any loose equipment or materials such as lumber or feed troughs. Move any flammable materials away from your buildings and secure loose items like panels, metal roofing, or tools that could become projectiles in high winds. For fires, it is crucial to create a fire break around your safe area. And remove any synthetic gear, like a nylon halter, or fly mask, because these can melt and cause severe burns on your animals. Regardless of your plan, there are essential supplies that you need to have on hand. It's best to assemble an emergency kit or a go bag for your animals. This kit should be easily accessible and contain enough supplies to last for at least 72 hours, though many experts recommend a seven to 10 day supply. Now what should be in it? Number one, food and water. Store a sufficient supply of feed and hay in a dry flood resistant area. Don't rely on automatic watering systems as power to well pumps may be lost. Have an alternative water source or enough stored water about 12 to 20 gallons per horse or cow per day, for example. Number two, identification. This is critical for reuniting with lost animals. Permanent identification like brands, tattoos or microchips is best, but in an emergency temporary methods like paint markers, neck bands, or even duct tape with your name and number can be lifesavers. Take photos of your animals, including yourself in the picture as proof of ownership. Number three, a detailed animal inventory. It's not enough to say that you have 10 cows. Your plan should list each animal's unique identifier, be it a name, a number, or an ear tag number along with their species, their breed, their age, and any special needs. These needs include whether or not your horse needs a specific medication or do you have a certain ewe that is prone to bloat. These details are critical, especially if someone else has to care for your animals. Documentation. Keep copies of important documents in a waterproof bag. This includes veterinary records, proof of ownership, medication instructions, and an emergency contact list with numbers for your vet, neighbors and an out-of-state contact. A signed letter authorizing veterinary treatment in your absence is also a smart idea. Number five, supplies. Your kit should also include halters, lead ropes, wire cutters, a sharp knife, a portable radio with extra batteries, flashlights, buckets, and a first aid kit. Your animal's first aid kit should include wound care supplies, hoof picks, wraps, a thermometer and any regular medications that your animals require. It's a great idea to take a livestock or equine first aid course so you know how to use these items effectively. Remember, you are part of this plan too. Your own Go bag should be packed with food, water, and first aid supplies for yourself. You'll also need a battery powered radio, a phone charger, and a headlamp. You can't care for your animals if you don't care for yourself and your family First. Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. The safety of your animals depends on the plans that you make today. How best to protect your livestock and farm animals in extreme weather will depend on the size of your herds, what type of animals you have, and how extreme the weather actually gets. Providing the basics: food, water, and a strong shelter will go a long way to keeping them safe. So take the time, sit down with your family or farm employees and get that plan written down. It's not a matter of if, but when And being prepared will give you the peace of mind you need to face any challenge. For questions about emergency preparedness or other livestock and equine related questions, please contact me at the NC State Extension Office in Polk County. If you have an idea for a podcast topic, feel free to send those my way as well. And don't forget to tune in to the Extension Connection Podcast on the third Wednesday of each month for more livestock and equine topics, and please share it with a friend.