This spring, there has been some severe weather across different parts of Ohio. Most farmers are no strangers to springtime thunderstorms, but they can cause problems for us and our cattle. For example, in my home county of Morgan County, we have had two different hailstorms that have caused some damage to a wide range of things.
On my family farm, after we have a storm, we go around the fields and check the fence and the fields to see what damage we have, if there is any at all. The last hailstorm that we had hit our farm, so we had to go around and check things on the farm. With the cattle ok, the first concern is the fence, and did any trees fall? We had very little damage to our farm, and the only thing we are worrying about right now is the cherry tree branches and leaves that got knocked off trees, because black cherry trees can cause cyanide poisoning from wilted cherry leaves. It’s best to remove downed limbs and leaves from pastures to prevent incidental intake or keep animals off that paddock until the leaves have completely dried and become a dark chocolate brown color.
For that storm, this was our only worry, but what are some other things that could come into play during a storm? The first thing I would say is the safety and health of livestock is the number one priority. Then things like infrastructure damage, feed loss, damage to equipment, and resources, and then you may need to do some short and long-term planning. It is important to have some prep in these different categories because if some form of severe weather hits, you may need a plan to help you.
Livestock Safety & Health
After a severe storm, it is always good to go and check your livestock and see if there are any that are injured or if any are missing. Check your fence and see if there are any down fences that could lead to livestock wandering off or to a place that they should not be. Watch your livestock for a few days and see if there are any signs of stress or illnesses from the storm that could be affecting them, like not eating, drinking, or that they just look off as compared to what they typically do. Always make sure that livestock have clean water at all times.
Infrastructure Damage
The next thing to check on after your livestock is the infrastructure, like inspecting fences, gates, barns, and shelters that you use for any structural damage. Also, you may want to be on the lookout for utility damage like downed powerlines or waterline damage that could pose hazards to you or your livestock. You should also be on the lookout for debris in pastures that could injure animals or damage equipment.
Feed and Forage Loss
After a storm, something that may slip our mind could be feed depending on the time of the year, but if it is in the spring or summer, when we see most severe weather. This is the time of year when most farmers are utilizing the least amount of stored feed and stored forages. If we have hay stored away for the winter, and something happened to it during a storm, where it could have gotten wet, it could spoil and be no good to feed anymore. If you also make silage or baleage, check for tips of tears in the plastic to avoid as much spoilage as possible. You will also want to evaluate your pastures condition because flooding could reduce quality and yield if water sits for too long.
Equipment, Operations, & Resources
If you are making a plan, some other ideas that you may want to consider are your equipment, operations, and resources. You will want to inspect machinery and vehicles for any damage. While doing so, you will also want to document any losses for insurance reasons, like the use of photos, descriptions, and estimated values can be helpful. Notify your insurance provider and document everything as early as you can. You will also need to consider how the storm has impacted on your day-to-day operations and how that will affect you moving forward. You may also want to make a list of resources that can help you after a storm, like Vets, Emergency Services, and Extension office, or Farm Service Agency for possible disaster relief programs.
Short-Term Actions & Long-Term Planning
The last thing to consider is short-term actions and long-term planning. You will need to prioritize immediate repairs to keep livestock safe and fed. After repairs, you can start planning on things that would be considered long-term improvements, like better drainage or more storm-resistant structures. This would also be the best time to reevaluate your emergency plans and supplies; the last storm that you may have had may reveal what worked and what didn’t.
