By Andi Anderson
Severe storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding can create serious challenges for livestock producers. While rainfall can support forage growth, excessive moisture, strong winds, and standing water may damage pastures, reduce forage quality, and threaten animal health. Proper pasture management after a storm is essential to maintain productive grazing areas and protect livestock.
According to Sandy Trushel, ANR Educator, Carroll County OSU Extension, recent weather patterns have brought frequent storm events, resulting in saturated soils and flooding in many areas. These conditions require farmers to quickly assess damage and take steps to prevent further losses.
One of the first priorities after a storm is livestock safety. Animals should be removed from waterlogged pastures as soon as possible. Grazing on saturated ground can cause severe soil compaction and hoof damage, often referred to as pugging, which can destroy grass crowns and reduce future forage production.
Farmers should also inspect fences and pasture boundaries for damage. Downed trees, broken fence posts, and damaged electric fencing can create safety hazards and increase the risk of livestock escaping. Special attention should be given to removing fallen branches and potentially toxic plants, including wild cherry trees, from grazing areas.
Water quality is another important concern following flooding. Automatic water systems should be checked for damage, and livestock should not be allowed to drink from flooded ponds, creeks, or other water sources that may contain contaminants, debris, or chemical runoff.
In areas where flooding is severe, moving livestock to a dry lot or sacrifice area may be the best option until fields have dried sufficiently. Feeding stored hay during this period can help prevent further pasture damage and allow grass stands to recover.
Pastures should be carefully evaluated before animals return to grazing. Producers should inspect fields for silt deposits left behind by floodwaters. Thick layers of silt may smother existing forage and could require reseeding. Lighter deposits may be washed away by rainfall, but forage should be checked before grazing resumes.
Once soils are firm enough to support equipment, mowing can help control weeds and encourage even regrowth. Storm events often introduce new weed seeds, making continued monitoring important during the recovery period.
Livestock health should also remain a priority. Wet and muddy conditions can increase the risk of foot rot, hoof problems, bacterial diseases, and insect-related stress. Young animals, including calves, lambs, and kids, may be especially vulnerable to respiratory issues caused by prolonged exposure to wind and rain.
Regular observation of animals for signs of illness, lameness, stress, or infection can help producers respond quickly to problems before they become more serious.
As extreme weather events become more common, disaster preparedness and recovery planning are increasingly important. By assessing damage promptly, protecting livestock, and supporting pasture recovery, farmers can reduce losses and maintain productive grazing systems after severe storms and flooding.
Photo Credit: ohio-state-university
Categories: Ohio, Livestock