Severe Weather - Advice to Farmers

Transcription

1 Farm safety Severe Weather - Advice to Farmers Following the recent heavy rain some farms are severely flooded. Now is the time to be extra vigilant if you have to work in flooded or waterlogged fields as there may be associated hidden risks. Consider the following points in particular to safeguard your safety and that of you r family and any other person on your farm: Do not enter flooded areas unless it is absolutely necessary and ensure you tell someone where you are going. If possible work in pairs. Bring a charged mobile phone in a secured pocket. Wear wellingtons/waders and water proof clothing to stay dry and warm. Getting trapped in water can cause drowning and hypothermia. Wear a high visibility jacket so that you can be seen. Avoid being out in darkness if possible, because the safety risk is increased,. If this must be done, however, carry a flash lamp. A major potential hazard with water levels is that ground features are not obvious and this can disorientate a person Where water levels are known to be low it is recommended to carry a long walking stick to probe the ground ahead. Flood water can lift items such as manhole covers and slats so extra vigilance is required where these are present. Particular care is needed where water is flowing rapidly or where a person may be close to deep water. Boats should only be used by competent and experienced person. Lifejackets which have been tested should be worn. All boating safety equipment should be used. When using farm vehicles for transport within farms vigilance is required at road edges, banks of streams or embankments as these may be undercut by flowing water. It is advised to mark roadways with stakes to indicate the safe route for driving. Stay off roofs and high places particularly in windy conditions. Take extra care when using ladders which should be secured. Turn off electricity at the mains where there is a risk of water ingress. Always consider electrical cables as live and ring the ESB Emergency number immediately The ESB Networks Emergency Number is If using an electrical generator, ensure that it is isolated from the mains electrical supply. When farms are flooded, isolation and the associated stresses can occur. It is really important to keep in contact with your family, neighbours and friends, advisors and farming organisations. Seek support when required and discuss solutions to the challenges

2 you face. This booklet contains the emergency contact numbers of the DAFM and Teagasc flood helplines. Should you require assistance from the Civil Defence, contact the Civil Defence Officer whose contact details can be obtained on the Website of your County Council. In case of an emergency make contact with the Emergency Services by ringing 112 or 999. Give accurate directions to your location e.g. Eircode. Remember : Give Safety Your First Priority. Flooded farmland In the event of severe flooding of farmland the following arrangements may be put in place for the movement of animals. In general, there is no restriction on the movement of cattle within the same holding, including onto parcels within the same holding. The movement of animals that are in test from herds which are not restricted due to TB can be effected relatively easily on the basis of a Compliance Certificate which can obtained from the DVO, the local mart, the herd PVP (if registered to do so) or printed out by the herdowner himself. In the case of out of test animals or herds which are restricted due to TB, the movement of such animals or cattle out of these herds is prohibited except where they are going direct to slaughter. Exceptions to the above rules can be made where the welfare or lives of animals is threatened. Every effort must be made to prevent, if possible, and if not to limit the exposure of such animals to other TB susceptible animals. In the case of non-restricted herds, where the animals are at risk, the herdowner should move the animals to higher ground on his/her own farm if this is possible. If this is not possible and the herdowner is unable to get a compliance cert from the DVO or print one out himself/herself, the animals may be moved out of the holding. In the case of TB restricted herds, where the animals are at risk, the herdowner should move the animals to higher ground on his/her own farm if this is possible. If this is not possible and the herdowner is unable to get a movement permit from the DVO the animals may be moved out of

3 the holding. In these circumstances the herdowner should notify the DVO as soon as possible after movement. Every effort must be made to prevent / limit the exposure of such animals to other TB susceptible animals. Flooded Slurry Tanks In the event of flooding of slurry tanks the following emergency measures may be put in place In emergency cases farmers will be permitted to pump some water out of flooded tanks but only for animal welfare reasons. This concession will apply only in those areas that have been severely affected by flooding. Tanks should not be agitated before pumping. Use a sludge pump if possible rather than a vacuum tanker. The suction pipe should be inserted almost to the bottom of the slurry tank so that solids are not removed. Pump out no more than is necessary to alleviate the immediate animal welfare problem. If water is already above the level of the central passageway or the apron, then there is no point in pumping at all because water will continue to flow into the tank. In these cases, animals will have to be removed from the sheds. The water should not be discharged directly to a watercourse but onto the driest field available. Impact of Flooding on Forage Crops 1. Silage There are no hard and fast rules. The situation on most farms will likely be unique. Silage pits/clamps that had not been opened when the floods submerged them may undergo relatively modest damage. Previous experience and some study models indicate that when the floods recede effluent will flow from the silage. There would likely be some loss of digestibility but preservation won t necessarily deteriorate. However, silage ph should be monitored over time. Silage pits/clamps that were open when the floods submerged them may undergo more extensive wetting than above, may release more effluent after the floods recede, and will likely have a larger loss of digestibility than the example above. In addition, preservation will be more likely to be compromised. In both of the above cases, preservation may be OK immediately after the floods recede but, in some cases, it may subsequently deteriorate over time. If the ph of this silage is below 4.0

4 after the flood recedes there may not be a problem but if it is >4.3 then it might subsequently deteriorate over time. Bales of silage that have been shifted by floods will likely have the plastic film damaged. Bales that had some holes (even if small) in the plastic wrap film before being submerged in the flood will likely have taken in water this amount will be small in some cases. A risk with all bales that are submerged is that if over time water works its way in between the layers of film and thus wets the bales, that when the water recedes the seal through which water entered/left the bale will not reseal. This would allow air enter the bale and cause major rotting. Thus, it will be important to check the seal on bales and, if it is compromised, the only option (assuming the bale remains edible) would be to re-wrap it. This would be difficult to do correctly if the bales have lost their cylindrical shape. Overall for silage: (a) In most cases where silage is submerged in flood water it won t be possible to decide the magnitude of damage until the floods recede. (b) Once floods recede effluent will flow from silos/bales that took in water. (c) Where water entered silos/bales there will likely be some loss of digestibility. Preservation may be OK in the short term but in some cases this may deteriorate over time. Measuring silage ph will give some guide on this this may need to be repeated over time. (d) If seals on bales have been broken these bales may need to be re-wrapped to prevent composting. To be of benefit this re-wrapping would need to be undertaken rapidly after the floods recede. 2. Hay If hay in a shed becomes submerged in water, dampness could soak up to a greater height than the level of the flood water (as per blotting paper). When the flood recedes and surplus water flows out of the hay the latter could still be only 30-40%DM and thus be prone to heating. This needs to be watched out for and, if heating commences, all of the hay may need to be removed (separating the dry and wet/damp bales) in case heating gets excessive. Animal Nutrition - Cattle It is important that each individual farm assesses their own situation in terms of feed availability. People will need to determine if they have had silage spoiled by flooding and how much? If you have lost some silage due to flooding then you need to consider how you can ration out existing fodder reserves to get you through the rest of the winter. You are better to budget now to minimise the likelihood of running out of forage. Rather than buying in extra forage it may be worth considering feeding minimum roughage to all classes of stock for several weeks to make up the shortfall. Principles when feeding Minimum Roughage: 1. Cattle need a minimum amount of roughage to ensure healthy rumen function. The lowest level of roughage required is for ad-lib diets. Outside of this, animals will ideally be offered in the region of 50% of their nutritional requirement in the form of roughage. 2. High performance is not a requirement, maintenance plus minimal growth (0.2 to 0.4 kg/day) is the objective for yearlings/stores.

5 3. Maintenance of milk production without excessive weight loss is the target for suckler cows 4. Because we do not have high performance targets, some cheaper feeds can have a role in this emergency-feeding situation. How much to feed? Tables 1, 2 & 3 outline the feed requirements of various classes of stock. The feed levels in the table are appropriate for animals in good condition; add 1 kg to the concentrate allowance where cattle are thin. The assumption is that the feeding period will not be longer than 4 weeks. Longer periods could lead to stunting of growing animals or re-breeding problems in suckler cows. It will be necessary to watch carefully the condition of cows, in particular, severe weight loss should not be allowed to happen. Table 1. Emergency Feeding For Suckler Cows Suckler Cows in Good Condition Pre-Calving Post-Calving Roughage Type Forage Offered (kg/day) Concentrate Concentrate Amount Protein % Amount Protein % Silage 20%D.M to to %D.M.D. Baled Silage 25%D.M to to Hay 4 3 to to 5 18 Straw 4 3 to to 5 18 Table 2. Emergency Feeding For Yearlings (350 kg) Roughage Offered (kg/day) Concentrate Amount % C. Prot. Silage 20%D.M. 64%D.M.D Baled Silage 25%D.M Hay Straw

6 Table 3. Emergency Feeding For Stores (450 kg) Roughage Concentrate Offered (kg/day) Amount % C. Protein Silage 20%D.M %D.M.D. Baled Silage 25%D.M Hay Straw Ration formulation Rations for cows suckling calves on hay or straw based diets and for all animals fed on straw as the roughage source should contain 18-20% crude protein as fed. All other situations are satisfactorily catered for at about 14-16%. Cow rations should be fortified with pre- or postcalving minerals as appropriate, and these must never be confused (post calving fed pre calving and vice versa) or omitted. Most feed compounders have a range of rations available for cattle, and in general the cheaper, lower specification compounds will suffice for this purpose where the low level of protein is required (14%). Looking for very specific individual formulations adds unnecessary cost for the compounder, which will be passed on to the feeder. Table 4.Current Concentrate Prices Current Price /t Value relative to Barley & Soya /t Barley Soyabean Maize Maize Distillers Corn Gluten Rapeseed Meal Soya Hulls Beet Pulp Weanling mix 16% 230 Finishing mix 13% 210 In general concentrate prices are back slightly on last year s prices typically 5-10 per tonne. Table 4 above looks at the relative value of the various feeds, when compared with barley costing 195/t and soya 390/t.

7 What the table is telling us is that the value of most ingredients is in line with the barley and soya values. Soya Hulls as a good fibre source are valued at 195/t but are actually costing 160. Rapeseed meal and Beet pulp on the other hand are slightly overpriced in the current market. If they were to fall in price over the winter then they will come more in line with other concentrates. Most rations will typically cost 22-26c/kg as fed with the higher 16-18% protein rations being most expensive. Substituting concentrates for forage will help to ration out remaining fodder reserves. Concentrates will also offer a more consistent energy dense feed than trying to make up any shortfall with forage of unknown quality. For dry cows and store cattle some compounders may offer competitively priced Fodder Stretcher ration which would be worth considering. Sheep Feeding Feed supplementation required for sheep during this present weather crisis needs to be targeted based on the type of feed available and the type of animals being fed. Pregnant ewes For pregnant ewes, the level of feed supplementation required for will depend on the stage of gestation and condition of the ewes. Recommendation for energy and protein requirements for 70 kg twin bearing ewes in good condition is summarised in Table 5. Table 5. Energy and protein requirements for twin bearing ewes Stage of gestation Crude protein (g/day) Energy (UFL) Mid-pregnancy Weeks 7 to 3 pre-lambing to 1.1 Weeks 3 up to lambing The majority of flocks are in mid pregnancy at this stage. A ration or nut with 14% crude protein and fed at the rate of 0.8 kg per head per day will supply enough energy and protein at this time. Less will be required where some roughage is available. Be sure to introduce these feeds slowly to avoid acidosis. However, feeding in small amounts three times per day will be the fastest way to get you to the required level. Ewes in mid pregnancy (lambing March onward) will consume 1 to 1.3 kg of silage depending on quality. Silage with a DMD of over 70% will be sufficient for maintenance. When silage quality is less than 70% you will need to offer concentrates or alternatives to avoid ewes losing condition. The energy content of various forages available is summarised in Table 6. Table 6. Forage feed quality and energy content. Feed quality Energy level (UFL) Silage 77% DMD 0.87 Silage 72% DMD 0.81 Silage 68% DMD 0.76 Silage 64% DMD 0.71 Silage 60% DMD 0.66 Silage 56% DMD 0.61 Good Hay (60 % DMD) 0.69 Poor Hay (52%DMD) 0.58 Straw 0.42 to 0.44

8 Late Pregnancy In late pregnancy ewe feed demand increases. Therefore for ewes lambing in January to early February and offered ad-lib silage, suggested supplementation rates are outlined in Table 7. It is recommended that 0.5kg per head is the maximum amount provided in a single feed. In late pregnancy single bearing ewes will require 30% less and triplet bearing ewes will require 30% more. When ewes are in poor condition, extra feed is also required. As outlined in the earlier section, where feed stuffs are flood damaged alternatives need to be considered. Table 7. Recommended supplementation rates for different silage DMD Weeks pre lambing Total kg Concentrates kg/hd/day % % % % With outdoor supplementation a pelleted mix may be preferable to a loose blend. If purchasing a loose ration avoid over processed ingredients. Whole or coarsely ground ingredients will reduce the risk of acidosis. Alternative options The use of high energy buckets or liquid feeders are an alternative feed source. These are predominantly molasses bases plus or minus protein ingredient s. They are a useful supplement where quality of forage (either grass or silage) is of poor quality. They work out at a higher cost per unit energy supplied. However, in practical terms they present a viable option for situations where frequent access is limited. As a guide you will need 1 high energy bucket (20kg) per 25 to 30 ewes. These should be spread out allow greater access. When offering liquid feed (molasses) via a licker, a general recommendation is for 1 ball per 50 ewes. The amount and frequency of feeding needed is outlined in Table 3. The amount allocated may need to be adjusted depending on levels of consumption Table 8. Feed levels for alternative options Type Daily intake* feeding frequency High energy block 110 g 1 x weekly (25 30 ewes) liquid in MultiFinder 250 ml depends on capacity of the container * suggested amount s only Supplementing Lambs Where finishing lambs ad-lib concentrate supplementation is an option. However, this ideally needs to be built up over a 10 day period where there is still access to a forage source for roughage to prevent severe acidosis. Finishing lambs are capable of consuming in excess of 1kg conc. per day. In the absence of housing facilities where grazing conditions are difficult lambs will need access to roughage source to reduce the risk of acidosis (both acute and sub clinical). In addition it is important to ensure enough feed space where large batches are being supplemented. Where purchasing premixed rations ensure they are suitable for intensive finishing as these will have been

9 formulated to minimise the risk of urinary calculi in ram lambs, and ideally should contain ammonium chloride for this reason. Do not feed ewe nuts to fattening male lambs. Animal Health Flooding and contaminated waters increase the risk of disease to stock. We are already witnessing instances of acute fluke in sheep this year and we will have to be mindful of the potential for a higher incidence of rumen fluke on ground that has been flooded. Stock will be at greater risk from salmonella, cryptosporidia, redwater etc. so it is worth engaging with your local vet to determine what steps you should take to minimise the risk. Vermin Control With rising flood water rats have been on the move. They will naturally move to drier areas around the farm, so farm bulidings and farm dwellings will be under a bigger threat of infestation. Be vigilant, keep baiting points around the yard and dwelling regularly replenished. Machinery in Flooded conditions and planning to avoid future floods Machine Safety When driving on flooded roads or roadways, the biggest risk is that you cannot see what you are driving on and consequently risk turning over the tractor in a ditch/dyke. Drive slowly and carefully and only where you know what the underlying surface is like. Place weighted floats or other markers to indicate hazards or roadway positions around yards. If carrying a bale on a front-loader through floods, carry the bale low and ensure you have plenty of weight on the back of the tractor to avoid stability loss in uncertain terrain. Avoid driving when tired and particularly in the darkness where lights shining on the water can make it even more difficult to determine your position or location. Be particularly aware of bystanders in poor visibility. Bring a mobile phone and if you get stranded, do not attempt to walk back in high water levels. If carrying people to or from houses on a tractor, in as far as possible have them in the cab with the door securely closed. Be particularly careful when people unfamiliar with machinery are in the vicinity. Remember most tractor accidents are pinning or crushing events around the farmyard. Avoid rushing and do not take risks despite the near-crisis flood situation. Be particularly careful with bystanders when moving bulk sandbags or bales.

10 Machine Wear and Tear Operating machinery in floods can risk damaging the machine or increasing wear and tear. Engine air intakes must not take in any water. Cars are most vulnerable, with 4x 4 jeeps somewhat better and tractors usually best in this regard. It depends on the height of the air intake and if the water is deflected towards the intake. If the water level is below the level of front and rear axle seals, then there should be no adverse effects to the axles or transmission. Continuous use of tractors in deep floods where the water is over the axle seals could cause problems as these seals may not necessarily keep the water out. Water could damage seals and bearings and even mix with transmission oil in some situations. In very deep water conditions, it s possible to damage electronic systems in modern tractors. While the main computer processors should be protected from water, these systems are extremely complex with sensors and wiring located in many parts of the tractor all prone to water damage in extreme flood conditions. Preventing future damage use your camera In some farmyards, there may be potential to avoid the worst of the flooding at a future date; this can be facilitated by recording flood levels now. The best option is to mark the heights to where the flood reaches or to record by taking photos (camera phone) and storing these photos carefully. These records may prove useful in future planning. Where the flooding is caused by running water, there may be an opportunity to redirect that water-flow to protect the farmyard, animal housing and feed storage areas. Where the flooding is as a result of general high water levels, in some cases it may be possible to relocate bale storage areas or the siting of new buildings. It may even be possible to have a protective bank of soil put in place to offer limited protection to some flooding. A record of flood levels is a good start. Useful Contact Numbers Animal Welfare Helpline For other animal welfare issues connected with severe weather please keep in touch with your Teagasc adviser or contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Animal Welfare Helpline on: o Call Save: o Phone: Teagasc Helpline (For Clients and non Clients)

11 List of DAFM Regional Offices/ Offices Counties Functions Telephone Address Carlow Cavan Clare / / / Vinegar Hill Lane, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Y21 E924. Government Offices, Farnham Street, Cavan, H12 D459. Houston Hall, Ballycummin Avenue, Raheen Industrial Estate, Raheen, Limerick. V94 PKF1 Cork North Cork South Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Hibernian House, 80A South Mall, Cork. T12 XY Hibernian House, 80A South Mall, Cork. T12 XY / Meeting House Street, Raphoe, Co. Donegal. W93 WK / Poplar House, Poplar Square, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 HC5P Arás an tsáile, Lakeshore Drive, Renmore, Galway, Co. Galway. H91 AN2E Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, H65 F / Government Offices, Spa Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 VX4V / / / Poplar House, Poplar Square, Naas, Co. Kildare. W91 HC5P The Glen, Waterford, Co. Waterford. X91 P04E Poplar House, Poplar Square, Naas, Co. Kildare. W91 HC5P Derryhallagh, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim. N41 EW / Houston Hall, Ballycummin Avenue, Raheen Industrial Estate, Raheen, Limerick.

12 Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow East Wicklow West V94 PKF / Derryhallagh, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. N41 EW / Government Offices, Athlumney, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath. C15 Y2T / Government Offices, Michael Davitt House, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. F23 VE / Government Offices, Athlumney, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath. C15 Y2T / Government Offices, Farnham Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan. H12 D / Government Offices, Clominch, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. R35 Y2N Government Offices, Golf Links Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon. F42 NC / / / / / / Derryhallagh, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim. N41 EW27 Government Offices, Davis Street, Tipperary, Co. Tipperary. E34 PT93 The Glen, Waterford, Co. Waterford. X91 P04E Government Offices, Clominch, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. R35 Y2N5 Vinegar Hill Lane, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Y21 E924 Vinegar Hill Lane, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Y21 E / Poplar House, Poplar Square, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 HC5P * Area responsibilities for and services in certain local offices Office Herd Number Ranges Wicklow West (Kildare) Z Z Wicklow East (Wexford) Z Z Compiled by Teagasc Specialist Unit,Researchers & Dept.of Agriculture, Food & the Marine

13