Your livestock are at risk during extreme weather events. How will you safeguard their feed supply?

Proteger o gado durante eventos climáticos adversos, como os ocorridos recentemente no Rio Grande do Sul, é fundamental para minimizar perdas e garantir o bem-estar animal. Existem várias estratégias que podem ser adotadas para enfrentar essas situações de maneira eficaz. O planejamento pode começar por: 1. Abrigos Adequados 2. Monitoramento Climático 3. Planejamento de Rotas de Fuga 4. Suprimentos de Emergência 5. Treinamento e Preparo 6. Seguros Agrícolas

I am from New Zealand. Here most livestock are grazed outdoors on grass. In the event of extreme weather livestock are moved to high ground if there is a risk of flooding. Shifted to a sheltered paddock in the event of extreme cold. Most farmers will have supplement feed stored for a weather event. This will be hay or silage.

2. STORAGE SOLUTIONS: During our BSAG/3 field trip to the Wanaru Broiler Shed at Mainland Holdings Ltd in April, we observed silos positioned beside each farm shed, such as Shed 8 & Shed 10. These silos served as weatherproof storage facilities, protecting the feed from moisture, pests, & contamination. The farm practiced regular maintenance and utilized an inventory management system to ensure the quality and availability of the feed, demonstrating an effective feed reserve strategy for tropical regions. Solution: Invest in Weatherproof Storage Facilities. Use silos, barns, or covered sheds to protect feed from moisture, pests, and contamination. Regular maintenance and an inventory management system ensure feed quality and availability.

Supplement stock will be stored in hay barns or in bunkers, for silage. Using a feed budgeting system will assist in planning for extreme weather events. Planning in advance is insurance.

1. For Extreme cold weather The following feed supply list of recommendations for livestock owners and caretakers to protect their animals during extreme cold: • Having abundant and accessible feed will help animals maintain body temperature and survive cold temperatures, • Make sure stored winter feed is of good nutrient quality for the type of livestock you are feeding, Rations of hay/forage/feed must be increased in order for livestock to maintain body temperature, • Animals’ water consumption increases because of elevated metabolic rates necessary to maintain warmth, • Make sure animals are in good body condition and vaccinated.

Empower women to raise livestock and provide financial incentives. Women farmers are creative and resourceful, but they need financial support to get them on equal footing with men. Farmer diversity creates community, networking, and shared resources when times are lean.

Understanding local weather patterns is crucial when planning. Reducing stock numbers is important when faced with drought conditions. To do this effectively one needs to know one,s stock well, ie what class of stock to sell and what stock to keep. Also knowing the value of each of the breeding stock, should it be necessary in continuous drought to sell.

Monitorar os padrões climáticos é essencial para uma gestão agrícola eficaz. Utilize serviços de previsão do tempo e avisos agrícolas para antecipar eventos extremos, como secas ou tempestades. Essas informações permitem tomar decisões informadas, como comprar ou colher ração adicional antes de um evento climático adverso.

Monitorar o tempo é mais fácil do que parece e é essencial para o sucesso no agronegócio. 1. Utilizar Aplicativos e Sites: Ferramentas como o Windy fornecem previsões detalhadas e em tempo real, ajudando a planejar as atividades diárias no campo. 2. Instalar uma Estação Meteorológica: Ter uma estação meteorológica na propriedade permite obter dados precisos e específicos do local, auxiliando no monitoramento contínuo das condições climáticas. 3. Alertas e Notificações: Configurar alertas para condições climáticas extremas ajuda a tomar decisões rápidas e informadas, protegendo tanto os cultivos quanto os animais.

Ter uma rede comunitária de ajuda é vital para enfrentar eventos climáticos extremos no agronegócio. Formar grupos de produtores rurais permite o compartilhamento de recursos e conhecimentos em emergências. Utilizar aplicativos de mensagens e navegadores facilita a comunicação rápida entre os membros. Desenvolver planos de ação conjuntos para diferentes cenários climáticos garante uma resposta coordenada e eficaz. Além disso, estabelecer acordos para compartilhamento de equipamentos e suprimentos essenciais é crucial. Realizar treinamentos periódicos e simulações de eventos climáticos prepara a comunidade para responder de maneira organizada e eficiente, fortalecendo a resiliência dos produtores rurais.

7. UTILIZE FEED RESERVES FOR TROPICAL REGIONS: Keeping a reserve of non-perishable feed for emergencies is crucial during bad weather. Here are a few tips; Regularly rotate stock to ensure freshness and quality. Establish a clear protocol for when and how to use these reserves, ensuring they are readily accessible and effectively managed during extreme weather conditions. Additionally, consider the types of feed to store, such as hay, silage, or commercial feed, to cover various nutritional needs and reduce reliance on regular feed supplies during crises. For tropical regions, focus on feeds that are resilient to high humidity and temperatures, such as tropical grasses and legume silages, to ensure longevity and nutritional value.