How Will Farmers Recover From Hurricane Harvey?
Hurricane Harvey is worse than anyone could’ve imagined. Even the meteorologists and hurricane trackers didn’t project this severity. While the greatest threat is to public safety for communities along the Texas coast, we must also be mindful of the long-term impact this is going to have. With the region that’s a leading producer of three major ag commodities, rice, cattle, and cotton, being in the bullseye of this massive storm system, it’s likely that prices will rise all across the country.
When the threat of flooding and debris passes, many farmers will return to their fields to find any crops that have yet to be harvested in ruin. In the plains of South Texas that are home to millions of head of livestock, there is a lack of high ground for ranchers to move their animals to to keep them out of the rising waters. Unfortunately, the window to load trailers with livestock and haul them north has passed for most areas because of unsafe driving conditions. |
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Some tips for ranchers recovering from the hurricane:
The USDA has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Disaster Resource Center. This alliance along with previously-instated USDA programs is offering temporary shelter to families affected, financial assistance to small agribusinesses who have been impacted, as well as recovery programs for farmers who have experienced conditions such as those mentioned above. Read more about how to get their help here
- For your safety, remain indoors as much as possible—do not go out into the elements just to check on livestock
- When it is safe to do so, check barns and stalls for debris before bringing animals back indoors
- Check animals for hoof rot
- Check fence lines as soon as possible
- Do not drive across pastures until the moisture dries up because you can rut them up and kill vegetation
- Pressure changes can cause pregnant females to go into labor before they’re due, so be prepared for early labor and watch for signs that a mother has already given birth and is trying to get to her calf
- Walk pastures to make sure no sharp or toxic debris that could harm livestock was blown in
- Double check that food and water has not been contaminated before giving animals access to it—it may be necessary to haul in water several weeks after the storm
- If unfamiliar animals show up on your property, keep them away from your herd, check local listings where missing animals might have been posted, and contact your veterinarian to inspect them to make sure they don’t carry any infectious diseases that could put your own animals at risk
- Realize that hurricane season is not over and re-stock supplies in case of another emergency
The USDA has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Disaster Resource Center. This alliance along with previously-instated USDA programs is offering temporary shelter to families affected, financial assistance to small agribusinesses who have been impacted, as well as recovery programs for farmers who have experienced conditions such as those mentioned above. Read more about how to get their help here