Natural Disaster Resources

Natural Disaster Guidance for the Dairy Industry

Many producers face urgent needs to take precautions to protect themselves, their workforce and their livestock during unusual climate events. And because emergencies and disasters can occur at any time and without warning regardless of where a farm is located, all dairy producers should consider developing or updating Emergency Action Plans on their farms. Guidance for dairy farmers who may be affected by natural disasters is listed below, along with general emergency preparedness resources.

Summer Weather Preparedness and Safety

Emergency Preparedness

• U.S. Drought Monitor, National Drought Mitigation Center
• Electrical Power Outages, CDC
• Water Conservation and Use on Dairy and Livestock Farms, University of New Hampshire Extension

Workforce Safety

• How To Avoid the Risks of Heat Stress, University of Wisconsin – Madison Extension
• Protect Your Team from the Heat, Dairy Herd Management
• Recognize The Signs of Heat Stroke Before It’s Too Late, Michigan State University Extension

Animal Care

• FARM Animal Care Manual: Protection from Heat and Cold (Pages 32 – 34), FARM Program
• Animal Handling During Heat Stress, University of Wisconsin – Madison Extension
• How to Reduce Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle, University of Missouri Extension
• Dairy Feeding and Management Considerations during Heat Stress, University of Kentucky
• Heat Stress in Dairy Calves, PennState Extension

Wildfire Resources

• Fire Map, National Interagency Fire Center
• Wildfire: Preparing the Farm, Oklahoma State University
• Wildfire Employer Checklist and Training Resources, UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety
• Protecting Outdoor Workers Exposed to Smoke from Wildfires, Cal/OSHA
• Fire Safety for Your Livestock, CalFire
• Wildfires, Smoke and Livestock, U.C. Davis
• Video: Wildfire Preparedness Tips from a Firefighter, Veterinarian and Ranch Owner, UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security
• When Wildfire Hits the Ranch: Lessons Learned from the Thomas Fire, Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
• Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Plan, AgSafe Canada

Hurricane Resources

• Storm Tracking and Forecast, National Hurricane Center
• Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery for Farmers, University of Florida Extension
• Hurricane Preparation for Your Farm, University of Florida Extension
• Disaster Preparedness for Livestock, University of Florida Extension
• Dangerous Weather Considerations for Dairy Producers, NC State Extension

Winter Weather Emergency Resources

Emergency Preparedness

• Winter Weather Monitor, National Weather Service
• Electrical Power Outages, CDC
• Safe Operation of Emergency Generators, Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Winter Preparedness on the Dairy Farm, South Dakota State University Extension
• Preparing Your Farm for Winter, Nebraska Dairy Extension
• Five Steps to Winter Farm Prep, Progressive Dairy
• Do’s and Don’ts for Barn Snow Removal, Cornell University
• Farmstead Recovery Checklist: Snow Load & Barn Collapse, Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Action-Items for Emergency Flood Evacuation for a Dairy, California Dairy Quality Assurance Program

Workforce Safety

• 7 Tips You Need to Know to Keep Employees Warm, Dairy Herd Management
• Colder Weather Tips for Dairy Farm Employees (English and Spanish), South Dakota State University Extension
• Winter Tips for Dairy Workers, Ohio State University Extension
• Protecting Workers from Cold Stress (English and Spanish), OSHA
• How to Protect Yourself from Winter Weather, Ready.gov

Animal Care

• FARM Animal Care Manual: Protection from Heat and Cold (Pages 32 – 34), FARM Program
• Tips on Dealing with Extreme Cold on Dairy Farms, Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Managing Dairy Cattle in Cold Weather, University of Minnesota Extension
• Tips to Protect Livestock During Extreme Winter Weather, NJ Dept. of Agriculture
• Severe Cold Weather Livestock Considerations, Colorado State University Extension
• Managing Hypothermia in Newborn Calves, K-State Extension

Recovery

• Winter Storm Disaster Assistance Available to Livestock Producers, Dairy Herd Management
• California Dairies: Coping with Flooding and Evacuation, California Dairy Quality Assurance Program