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
• Drought Strategies for Feeding and Managing Dairy Cattle, Perdue University
• Water Conservation and Use on Dairy and Livestock Farms, University of New Hampshire Extension
• Dairying and Drought, NSW Department of Primary Industries
• Drought Advisory: Managing Pastures and Haylands, Oregon State University

Workforce Safety

• How To Avoid the Risks of Heat Stress, University of Wisconsin – Madison Extension
• Dairy Farm Employee Management: Protecting Your Workers During the Hot Days of Summer, Iowa State University 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
• Dairy Feeding During Drought, North Dakota State University

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