Livestock producers need a plan for moving their animals and hay to higher ground before floodwaters start rising.

“Make arrangements now in case cattle and other livestock need to be moved, or have a plan to utilize other facilities in case of flooding,” says Charlie Stoltenow, North Dakota State University Extension Service veterinarian.

“Trying to rescue cattle and other large livestock in deep-water situations is a dangerous and losing proposition, and it can be deadly both to the animal and you,” he adds. “Water temperatures are near freezing, and there’s floating ice and debris.”

A rainy fall and heavy snowfall this winter make flooding likely in some parts of North Dakota.

“As with last year, areas may flood that have not seen flooding before,” Stoltenow cautions.

This could be a problem for livestock producers because calving often occurs in low-lying, sheltered areas. Also, hay production was above average in 2009, and some of this hay is being stored in areas with a high risk of flooding, such as low spots in fields and along creeks and rivers, and on the wrong side of washed-out roads.

More than 91,000 cattle, including about 72,000 calves, were estimated to have died in North Dakota in spring 2009. Many were trapped by floodwaters. Flooding also prevented producers from reaching feed supplies for their livestock.

“It is easier to move or blow snow on top of frozen ground to get to your hay now than it is to try to fight 3 feet of mud with 3 feet of water on top of that,” Stoltenow says.

Having feed supplies on hand is important because producers can’t count on feed or fuel assistance being available during a flood.

However, if feed supplies do run short, NDSU’s FeedList Web site -http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/feedlist/ - may be able to help. It’s a place producers can go to find feedstuffs for sale. It’s also a place for feedstuff sellers to market their supplies.

NDSU Agriculture Communication