Earl H. Ward NE Area Livestock Specialist Flooding & Livestock Earl H. Ward NE Area Livestock Specialist

Skin & Feet When tissues are wet for long periods of time they lose the barrier to resist microorganisms Result in skin and foot infections Observe your cattle for lesions and any lameness Treat quickly

Udders Being submerged in flood water makes the udder more susceptible to infections and mastitis

Disease Potential Zoonotic Leptospirosis Leptospira organism is consumed by drinking contaminated water Symptoms Fever Poor appetite Anemia Jaundice May have dark urine Vaccination is key Affects pregnant cows Causes abortions & stillborns Zoonotic

Disease Potential Blackleg Highly fatal disease of young cattle caused by the spore forming, rod shaped, gas producing bacteria Clostridium chauvoei.  Symptoms Lameness Loss of appetite Rapid breathing Fever Unwillingness to move Vaccination is key

Disease Potential Zoonotic Anthrax Relatively large spore-forming rectangular shaped bacterium called Bacillus anthracis Symptoms Sudden death (often within 2 or 3 hours of being apparently normal) is by far the most common sign Fever Difficult Breathing Convulsions After death blood may not clot, resulting in a small amount of bloody discharge from the nose, mouth and other openings Vaccination is key Zoonotic

Muddy Conditions Muddy conditions = Stress Stress = Lower Immunity Younger animals are more vulnerable Pneumonia Diarrhea Research shows 4-8 inches of mud decreases intake by 4-8% and gains by 14% on pastured cattle. Cattle in confinement with severe mud reduced gains by 25-30%.

Parasites Roundworms Symptoms Anemia Bottle Jaw Diarrhea Rough hair coat Liver Flukes Coccidiosis Mosquitos – West Nile for Horses Flies

Carcass Disposal Composting Rendering Landfill Burial Incineration https://www.oda.state.ok. us/aems/carcassdisposalo ptions.pdf OSU Factsheet BAE- 1748

Flooded Hay & Feed Flooded hay disposal Spread as Fertilizer Use as Composting Bales with 30-40% moisture are at risk of fire To check a hay stack’s temperature Drive sharp pointed pipe into hay Lower a thermometer down into the pipe Leave for 20 minutes At 150°F = Dangerous At 170°F = Fire Pockets Possible

What To Do Now Watch Water Quality Keep Eye on BCS and Nutrition

Flooded Facilities Disinfect surfaces with a 1:10 ration of Bleach:Water Near impossible to disinfect organic material

Questions? Earl H. Ward