Hurricane Information Resources

Hurricane Katrina Update

For answers to animal agriculture production questions related to the hurricane:

MSU Extension Service Livestock Hotline (662) 325-3516

Click here to submit livestock disaster questions to a MSU Extension Specialist

For hurricane-related livestock assistance inquires:

Assessment teams staged out of Hattiesburg will visit individual livestock producers and fill out assessment reports that will then be used to match needs with donation distributions.

Mississippi Board of Animal Health Hotline (888) 722-3106

USDA Farm Service Agency Mississippi office (601) 965-4300

USDA Farm Service Agency of Mississippi Emergency Programs Summary Sheet

For contributing donations to Mississippi livestock producers:

Donations will be staged at the Forrest County Extension office

952 Sullivan Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39401-2714

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency ESF-17 Donation/Supplies Routing

Mississippi Cattlemen's Association (601) 354-8951

National Cattlemen's Beef Association: John Braly (303) 850-3396, jbraly@beef.org
Courtney Pollock (303) 850-3393, cpollock@beef.org

Help rebuild our farms and ranches flyer

Public Service Announcements

September 20, 2005 Farm and Family Radio Animal and Dairy Science Head Terry Kiser talks about how the Mississippi State University Extension Service is helping the beef and dairy industry recover from the hurricane. REAL | MP3

September 15, 2005 Farm and Family Radio Extension Beef Specialist Blair McKinley talks about the beef, dairy, swine, and equine industries after Hurricane Katrina. REAL | MP3

September 22, 2005 Situation Report

September 20, 2005 Situation Report

September 16, 2005 Situation Report

USDA Designates Counties in Mississippi as Agricultural Disaster Areas

September 11, 2005 Update

September 9, 2005 Update

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency ESF-17 Animal Compounds

MSU-ES Press Release "Cattle producers struggle to recover"

MSU-ES Press Release "Disaster assistance set for state's producers"

MSU-ES Press Release "Katrina brought losses to state dairy industry"

MSU-ES Press Release "Disaster assistance set for state's producers"

MSU-ES Press Release "USDA aid programs may help state growers"

Hurricane Katrina Standard Operating Procedure for Handling Carcass Disposal During a Natural Disaster (Mississippi Board of Animal Health)

Proper disposal of one (1) or more carcasses and offal of all livestock except poultry, livestock and swine reared in confined animal operations.

1. Carcass(es) must be buried at a depth sufficient to prevent offensive odors, fly breeding, and unearthing by other animals, and shall be covered under at least two (2) feet of compacted earth and after each settles, more dirt shall be placed over surface to prevent ponding effect.

2. Carcass(es) shall be buried on the owner’s property, or on another’s property with specific approval of the owner, or in permitted landfills. The carcass(es) shall be buried at least 150 feet from adjoining landowners property, at least 300 feet from an inhabited dwelling, or on land not in cultivation.

3. Alternative disposal options must be approved by the State Veterinarian and/or DEQ on a case by case basis.

4. In case of the disposal of large numbers of animal carcasses due to catastrophe, it will be necessary to contact the Board of Animal Health for approval of the disposal site. A trench or pit shall be constructed in such a manner not to allow rainwater to drain and must be approved by the State Veterinarian.

For further information, see the Mississippi Board of Animal Health’s website www.mbah.state.ms.us or call 1-888-722-3106.

Texas Livestock Officials Accommodating Emergency Entry of Hurricane-Evacuated Livestock

Texas' livestock health officials are working to accommodate the evacuation of livestock from Louisiana and Mississippi, displaced due to Hurricane Katrina. The TAHC will allow livestock from these states to enter Texas without the usually required health documents, provided the owners or shippers alert the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) prior to crossing the state line.

Owners and shippers from Louisiana and Mississippi are asked to call the TAHC 24-hour number at 1-800-550-8242 and provide information regarding the species, numbers and destination of the animals. A permit number will be issued to the caller, and TAHC field personnel will follow up to verify the arrival of the animals and to address any pertinent restriction or test requirements. As part of its emergency management effort, the TAHC also maintains a list of facilities, farm or stables, whose owners have volunteered to provide temporary shelter for livestock. Callers who need a referral to a site should call the TAHC number and leave a message for the regulatory veterinarian on call.

Dairy cattle evacuated to Texas without a cattle tuberculosis (TB) test must be isolated from other cattle and meet entry requirements upon arrival

Message from Mississippi Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice-President, Sammy Blossom - September 12, 2005

"Assessing the losses to Mississippi’s cattle industry is continuing but, like the other segments of the state's economy, the numbers are already unprecedented. Most of the damage is below Interstate 20 although, to varying degrees, this destruction occurred statewide with few of Mississippi's 20,000 cattle producers not feeling some effects of the storm. Wind damage to homes, barns and fences is extensive.

In rural areas, water and power outages remain widespread. The nineteen consumer-owned electric power associations that serve much of southern Mississippi report over 50,000 utility poles and thousands of miles of power line destroyed. Utility crews have done a remarkable job restoring power but on Saturday morning, September 10, officials reported 99,869 meters still without power.

Some relief supplies for agricultural producers are beginning to come into the state from as far away as South Carolina. The MSU Extension Service and Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce are coordinating donations of feed, hay and fencing supplies at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center in Hattiesburg. Other locations will be used to stage products nearer specific needs.

Dairy farmers continue to struggle with power outages and feed supply problems. MSU dairy economists estimate dairy losses to average $35,000 per farm. Several operations have sold cows while others dried up the herd."

You can help! Anyone wishing to make tax-deductible contributions to the relief efforts for affected cattlemen can send them marked “Katrina Relief” to: Mississippi Cattlemen’s Foundation, 680 Monroe St., Jackson, MS 39202. The MCA office can be contacted at (601) 354-8951 or missca1@bellsouth.net.

Storm Pictures

Photos of Hurricane Katrina's damage can be seen at: www.mscattlemen.org

Cattlemen Stepping Up to Help Fellow Farmers and Ranchers, Evacuees

DENVER (September 7, 2005) – Cattlemen from across the nation are working to bring aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the catastrophic damage in and around New Orleans, thousands have been left homeless and without power and water in rural areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. In addition to making donations to traditional relief agencies, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, state beef councils and state cattlemen's associations are calling on all agricultural producers to contribute to the recovery effort of farm and ranch families.

"It is very important that all citizens contribute to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other relief agencies as generously as they can," said Jim McAdams, a Texas rancher and president of NCBA. "But cattlemen also naturally want to help their fellow farmers and ranchers, and storm victims located in rural areas of the Gulf Cost Region. NCBA and its state affiliates are coordinating efforts to help make that happen."

The needs of badly damaged farm and ranch operations in the region include supplies, money, food and housing:

Supplies
Those who wish to donate supplies, or have leads on where to find donated supplies, may contact John Braly or Courtney Pollock of NCBA at 1-866-BEEFUSA. Several staging areas and distribution points have been established, with more still being arranged through the state cattlemen's associations in Louisiana, Mississippi and several surrounding states. To date, 33 truckloads of materials have been donated, but much-needed supplies still include:

Fencing - poly wire, solar fence chargers, barbed wire, t-posts, clips, chain saws, staples, gates, insulators and nails

Building - Lumber, roof tin, concrete, electrical wiring, 50-100 Kw generators, fuel, meter bases

Feeding supplies - feed, hay, water troughs, large stock tanks

Labor is also needed, so NCBA will collect names of those willing to assist with rebuilding fences, gathering cattle and donating trucking or transportation services.

Money
Contributions to the relief effort to assist farmers, ranchers and rural families in the region can be sent to the National Cattlemen's Foundation, Disaster Relief Fund, 9110 East Nichols Ave., Suite 300, Centennial, CO 80112 or call 303-694-0305. As of Wednesday afternoon, over $10,000 in cash contributions had been received or pledged to this fund.

The Mississippi Cattlemen's Association has established a special account through the Mississippi Cattlemen's Foundation to assist relief efforts for cattle producers impacted by the hurricane. Donations made out to the Mississippi Cattlemen's Foundation and marked "Katrina Relief" may be sent to 680 Monroe St., Jackson, MS 39202, or call 601-354-8951 or email to missca1@bellsouth.net.

Food
State beef council investments totaling $100,000 will be used for shelf-stable beef products such as canned beef or beef jerky for distribution to hurricane victims. USDA has approved this use of beef checkoff funds for these efforts, which will highlight the nutritional benefits of beef for those receiving assistance. The goal is to have all products located, purchased, and shipped by September 9.

Housing
Generous farm and ranch families from as far away as California have offered to open up their homes as temporary housing for those in need. Anyone willing to provide housing may also contact John Braly or Courtney Pollock at NCBA.

"The Gulf Coast region is in for a long and difficult recovery, but every little bit helps," McAdams said. "Now is the time for each of us to share our good fortune and reach out to those whose lives have been turned upside down by this tragedy."

Hurricane-Related Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Fences are down throughout South Mississippi. What can be done?

Answer: Use of solar chargers and polywire electric fencing is a quick temporary fix for producers who have access to this equipment. Cattle should be gathered up and kept off of roadways as best possible. Watch for downed power lines and other hazards in the process of rounding up cattle. Be careful not to overcrowd cattle in small areas for extended periods of time. Perimeter fencing is the first priority. Portable facilities should be shared among neighbors when available.

Question: Cattle are roaming together free-range due to fencing problems. What are the potential impacts of unwanted commingling of cattle?

Answer: Unwanted commingling of cattle can create herd health and breeding issues. Make notes of commingling situations, and separate cattle once necessary facilities and/or fencing issues are resolved. Electric fencing with solar chargers is a rapid, temporary solution for separating cattle where permanent fencing is down and electricity is unavailable. It will be important to resume a herd health program in consultation with a veterinarian to address possible disease concerns.

Question: Salt water washed over pastures and ponds as a result of Hurricane Katrina. What concerns does this create for livestock?

Answer: Cattle must have adequate supplies of fresh water to survive. Water consumption needs are particularly high during periods of hot or warm temperatures. Providing fresh water is the first priority. Use water tanks, and solicit assistance from neighbors and local fire departments for immediate water needs. Forages contaminated by salt water may be unpalatable to livestock. Be sure to provide livestock with another source of forage or feed until pastures are cleansed by rains or otherwise. In addition, salt water contamination of soils or water standing on pastures or hayfields for extended periods of time may result in stand losses and render soils unproductive for acceptable forage growth. Bermudagrass and bahiagrass are fairly tolerant of high salinity. Overseeding cool-season species may be problematic if salinity is still present during seeding as these forage species are less tolerant of high soil salinity levels.

Question: Salt water washed over pastures and ponds as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Will applying gypsum to pastures contaminated by salt be effective in improving soil conditions for forage growth?

Answer: This works. When soils contain a lot of salt, e.g., after a hurricane, the sodium ions bind to the soil particles which impedes drainage (even in sandy soils) and stops the roots from getting down into the soil (sodium ions are big). Gypsum displaces these sodium ions and allows them to leach from the soil thereby removing the salt. Drainage will improve, and root development will be better. Application rates are similar to lime (1/2-2 tons/ acre) depending on the level of salinization/ compaction. Gypsum also has a very good "liming" ability and will help a lot with low pH soils.

Question: Feed supplies are storm damaged, and available feed does not necessarily match what cattle are accustomed to consuming in terms of ingredients and/or nutritional value. How should this situation be handled?

Answer: Beware of feeding moldy or otherwise unsafe feeds to livestock. Make sure that feed is not contaminated by chemicals as a result of the storm. Abruptly changing cattle diets can result in bloat or other nutritional disorders that threaten livestock health. Attempt to slowly shift animals onto new diets by increasing the amount of the new diet offered to animals in 0.5 to 1 lbs. increments over several weeks. Watch cattle closely for signs of distress, and make sure that plenty of forage or other roughage is available to them along with free-choice quality mineral supplements and clean water. Young, growing animals may be most susceptible to nutritional disturbances.

Question: Winds from Hurricane Katrina destroyed the protective wrapping on baleage. What can be done with the baleage?

Answer: Baleage exposed to the elements will spoil rapidly if not fed immediately to livestock. Uncovered baleage is most likely a loss unless it can be rewrapped or placed in a sealed bunker rapidly.

Question: Many oak leaves and acorns are down in hayfields due to Hurricane Katrina. Is this a problem for cattle consuming the hay?

Answer: Winds from Katrina left oak twigs with acorns attached scattered across many hay fields. Cattle would need to consume a considerable amount over several days to create a toxic condition. There are likely not enough acorns in the hay to create a problem. Many acorns will sift out during hay raking and baling as well. Typically, acorn poisoning is not seen until late fall or early winter. In most cases grazing cattle with a good supply of forage and or hay will not eat acorns. However, this is an unusual situation and cattle should be checked on a regular basis. Also be sure to keep water tanks as free of debris as possible.

Question: Many trees were downed in the hurricane. What trees in South Mississippi could cause potential livestock disorders if their leaves or nuts are consumed?

Answer: Buckeye (horse chestnut), wild cherry (black cherry), oak

Question: The lack of electricity from the hurricane resulted in a loss of refrigeration for many cattle vaccines. Can they still be used?

Answer: Most vaccines have a very limited shelf life when left unrefrigerated. This means that they will not be effective in boosting cattle immunity when administered. Carefully read product labels, and discard unused product as appropriate.

Livestock Disaster Recovery Publications