A Farmer’s Guide to Creating a Livestock Emergency Plan
In partnership with: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
It’s impossible to predict when a tornado, flash flood or hurricane will roar through, wreaking havoc on farms and ranches. In livestock operations, planning for these events not only keeps animals safe and healthy but also keeps businesses going with a livestock emergency plan.
Rising Waters
Tennessee farmer Mike Vaught and his daughter, Laura, know disaster firsthand. The Vaughts own about 265 acres in Lascassas, and on May 9, 2024, a flash flood swept their cattle herd away, threatening their entire operation. The spring rain escalated into something dangerous and quickly.
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“Bradley Creek was at the top of the banks, which isn’t unusual, but at quarter to 6 that morning, it was up 3 more feet,” Mike says. “By 6:07, I had cows going under the bridge. It had rained more than I’d realized.”
About 100 head of the herd got caught in the flood.
“I thought, ‘Well, all my cows are going to drown or get a stick in their side. If they live, they’ll have pneumonia,’” Mike says. “There was $150,000 or $200,000 worth of cattle going under the bridge. I thought it would be a total disaster.”
Within 10 minutes of watching his cows float away, Mike heard them bellowing as they emerged on the other side of the bridge, and he jumped into action.
Surviving Against All Odds
Over the next three days, with the help of neighbors, friends and the community, they recovered all but six calves, despite the herd being scattered up to 19 miles. Four cows even survived a ride over the Walter Hill Dam.
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For the Vaughts, the local response meant everything. Keeping good records, having strong relationships in the community and communicating their need for help were all significant factors in saving their operation.
“You can’t control the weather,” Laura says. “What you can do is prepare as best you can.”
Livestock Emergency Planning
Dr. Whitnie Smartt, assistant state veterinarian and emergency services coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Disaster Animal Response Team (DART), helps Tennessee producers prepare for situations like this by creating a livestock emergency plan. In addition to sharing resources available from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Program, and TDA’s DART, she offers the following tips for creating livestock emergency plans for farmers and ranchers:
- Develop a farm-specific emergency plan, and make sure everyone who lives or works on the farm knows the plan. Include a specific biosecurity plan for preventing disease outbreak and allowing continued movement of animals during an outbreak.
- Connect with your county emergency management agency and the agriculture Extension office. They develop the local county response plan, including livestock and animals.
- Identify emergency contacts, including a livestock veterinarian, the county emergency management agency, a member of DART (if your area has one) and the local Extension office.
- Keep an updated inventory of livestock and a basic farm map. In an emergency, identification and documentation are helpful in case of animal loss.
The process of emergency response is essential but often misunderstood.
“All emergencies and disasters start and end locally, and that’s important because it keeps local people in charge,” Smartt says.
Local leaders handle the initial response and, if needed, can work with state and federal partners to expand assistance.
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Take Action Locally
In the event of a natural disaster in your county, please contact your local emergency response teams first, including the sheriff’s department or rescue squad, and then also reach out to your county emergency managers.