Driving directions
Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County
Horticulture Workshops, Conferences & News
Grazing School Seminar
* September 30, October 1 and 2, 2008
Field Day
* Our annual field day will be held on September 12, 2008.
Ag. Education Day
* Our Ag Education day will be held on September 11, 2008.
Southwest Center FFA Workshop
* The Southwest Center will sponsor a workshop for area FFA students, which was held on March 6, 2008.
SW CTR Grazing Dairy
Ag Preparedness
Research
Newsletter
People
Contact us
Email:
Southwestcenter@missouri.edu
Superintendent:
Dr. Richard Crawford - Bio
14548 Highway H
Mt. Vernon, MO 65712-9523
Phone: 417-466-2148
FAX: 417-466-2109
Email:
crawfordr@missouri.edu
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When Flood Waters Begin To Recede
When flood waters begin to recede, you must continue to use caution
when assessing damage and beginning clean-up procedures on the farm.
According to Amanda Marney, agriculture preparedness specialist,
University of Missouri Extension, livestock will be exposed to unique
hazards created by flood waters. In addition, agriculture producers
must also protect their own health when working in and cleaning up
previously flooded areas.
LIVESTOCK
It is very important that you make sure all animals have a source of
clean, uncontaminated water. Animals on pasture may need a different
source of water until ponds or creeks clear up. It is imperative that
agriculture producers have their water tested if any part of the
farmyard is flooded. If utilizing well water for livestock water, it
may have also been contaminated. Wells may need to be disinfected
(please see article by Bob Schultheis outlining disinfection
procedures).
Check all sources of feeds and forages for spoiling and contamination.
Flood waters can contaminate feeds, forages and fields. Watch for
molds in the field and in stored feed and forages. Feeding of moldy
feeds is risky and unhealthy for all animals.
Standing water may have damaged some pastures or parts of pastures.
This may have isolated animals and limited forage supply. Hungry
animals may then eat contaminated or poisonous plants. Therefore, be
prepared to supplement feed, when needed, in order to prevent animals
from eating contaminated plant materials.
Make sure all animals are up to date with vaccinations. Agriculture
producers may need to administer Blackleg boosters to pastured
animals. High-risk, younger animals that were on flooded pastures may
benefit from a therapeutic dose of penicillin. Consult with your
veterinarian.
Animals have been stressed during thunderstorms and resulting
flooding. Consider supplementing additional feed or vitamins. Watch
closely for signs of illness such as pneumonia and lameness. Make sure
all animals are accounted for and are eating.
Is there manure storage on the farm? If so, consider having Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) check for any evidence of
weakening or leaking.
AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS
Agriculture producers should be extremely wary of electrical equipment
that has been exposed to flood water or other moisture. They shouldn’t
turn the power back on until it has been inspected by a qualified
electrician. If producers are not certain that the power is off, they
should never enter flooded areas or touch electrical equipment if the
ground is wet. Never handle a downed power line.
Flood cleanup may involve the use of gasoline or diesel powered pumps,
generators, and pressure washers. It is important to realize these
devices do release carbon monoxide, a deadly, colorless, odorless gas.
Due to this fact, producers should operate all these devices outdoors.
NEVER operate the power unit indoors. It is virtually impossible to
ensure adequate ventilation.
Farm tractor and equipment operators should be extremely cautious when
using towing chains to free or move "stuck" equipment. Hitch only to
the drawbar to avoid tipping the tractor over backwards. Use only a
long towing chain designed to support the towed load. Check the
machine's operator's manual for additional safe towing information.
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Resources
at the University of Missouri-Columbia
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