A Disaster-Ready Strategy for Cattle Operations

Building Your Operation’s Disaster and Emergency Plan

Here’s a phased approach to developing or revising your on‑site plan.

1. Form your planning team & assess hazards

• Identify key collaborators: your farm manager/owner, herd veterinarian, trusted employees, neighbor producers, and local first responders or Extension personnel.
• Analyze likely threats: fire, flood, drought, extreme heat/cold, tornadoes, disease. Adopt an “all‑hazards” mindset but tailor to your geography.
• Define planning objectives: e.g. keep livestock fed/watered during utility outage, evacuate safely if needed, maintain records and source verification, and support recovery.

2. Draft operational procedures using BQA best practices

• Create a written emergency action plan (EAP) that includes:
  • Operation name, PIN or official ID, physical address, owner/manager contact info.
  • Important phone numbers: vet, Extension, emergency services, utilities, feed supplier.
  • A site map showing pens, shelter, water sources, power, access routes.
  • Animal identification protocols: ear tags, USDA tags, branding, or temporary spray paint in urgent conditions to aid tracking and recovery.
  • Daily chore lists and replacement instructions (so a proxy caretaker can step in): feeding schedules, water checks, manure removal, medication dosing.
  • Mortality management: plans for burial, composting, or disposal according to local regulations.
  • Staffing and proxy training: identify backup caretakers, ensure they are familiar with operations through periodic walk‑throughs and practice drills.