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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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%.

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

9. Carcass Disposal Composting Rendering Landfill Burial Incineration
us/aems/carcassdisposalo ptions.pdf
OSU Factsheet BAE- 1748

10. 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

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

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

13. Questions?
Earl H. Ward