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Livestock should be checked after a stormBy Michael Fisher Golden Plains Area Livestock Extension Agent The past couple of weeks have brought some severe storms to the area. However, this is not a big surprise. We expect some strong weather this time of year. When this happens there are a couple of things that many livestock producers automatically become concerned about. The first is lightning. It is reported that between 200 and 300 people are killed in the U.S. annually as a result of lightning. And people should have the ability to get inside and protect themselves from a storm. Much of our livestock does not have that option. Countless animals are hit by lightning every year. This problem is made worse by the fact that some livestock will stand under a tree or in a group to protect themselves during a storm. Either of these situations can amplify the ability of the lightning. In the case of using the tree as protection, the arboreal shield becomes a conduit to direct the electricity to the animal(s) below. In the case of livestock grouping, if one animal is struck the current may flow through multiple animals in the group. A few lightning struck animals will never show a sign of the strike following the initial impact. Some may be injured with burns. Most will simply be found dead. Following a lightning storm, it is important that livestock producers check their animals. Obviously, you do not want to have any of your herd/flock suffering so you will want to see if any of them require the attention of a veterinarian. Additionally, in the case of killed livestock you will want to discover these quickly. If you have your livestock insured against lightning strikes there is a possibility that there may be a time limit on how long after the storm you can report the loss. This can vary between insurance companies. Another storm concern of livestock producers is wind related issues. Most of us have seen the aftermath of a strong wind. Trees can fall, sheds can collapse, barn doors can be ripped from their hinges, and power lines can come down. All of these can prove hazardous to animals. Following these events a livestock owner will once again want to check their livestock to ensure that they are not suffering from any potential injuries and to take any inventory of losses for insurance purposes. Additionally, a livestock producer will want to be wary as to the condition of fences following these wind events. Make sure no trees have fallen on them that would allow your stock to get out. This goes for barn doors too. An additional wind concern is the tornado. Obviously, livestock caught in the direct path of a funnel risk the expected injuries of being in the vortex. However, the tornado adds to it the hazard of blowing debris that may potentially reach out miles from the direct path of the funnel. Flying roofing tin, 2- by 4s, nails, glass, lawnmowers, etc., can cause injuries ranging from lacerations and infections to dislocations and broken bones. Not really considered an injury but still another issue that can follow a storm of this magnitude can be the potential of dark cutters. There appears to be a potential link between tornadoes and a temporary increase in dark cutter cattle within that region. Consider this when marketing after a storm. Now that I have referred to lightning and wind, which many livestock producers quickly think about, let me address a meteorological hazard that many don't necessarily think of being a problem for livestock. That is hail. Think about the damage that these ice stones can cause to roofs, cars, and crops when they fall from the sky. If you have ever found yourself outside during a hail storm, you have probably quickly realized the potential for pain that hail can cause. Depending on the size of the hail stones, they can cause bruising, broken bones, and even death. Particularly when they start getting to the size of baseballs and grapefruit, as was the case in Kit Carson County June 3. Another hail concern can be stampede injuries. Livestock do not like to be in hail and may run wildly to try to get out of it. This can lead to injuries like broken legs, trampling, or fence lacerations. So once again, the livestock owner will want to inspect their herd/flock following a hail storm. 6/16/08 Date: 6/11/08 Advertisement
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