University of Wisconsin-Extension
A
winter power failure or fuel shortage can cause problems on
farms, but being prepared can keep problems to a minimum.
Ideally you should have a standby electric generator for emergency
power. For ideas on types of generators and their operation,
see the fact sheet "Using Standby Electric Generators."
Assuming you have no power, take the following precautions
to keep animals and equipment safe.
To protect
poultry and livestock during a power failure:
- Ventilate
buildings. Do not close buildings tight to conserve
heat, since animals could suffocate from lack of oxygen.
Clear ice and snow from all vents because oxygen will eventually
be used up in mechanically ventilated production facilities.
Then open vents to facilitate natural air flow.
- Provide
water. All animals, especially cattle, need plenty of
water during cold weather. It may be possible to drive your
water pump with a small gasoline engine and a belt. Otherwise,
you will need to haul water.
If you
have an outside source of water, cattle can be turned out
to drink it. Be sure to place sand or other gritty material
on icy feedlots to provide good footing. Whatever the source
of water, watch that it remains unfrozen so animals can drink
it.
- Provide
heat. Use camp stoves and heaters as emergency heat
sources for brooders. Plan ahead to have this equipment
ready when needed.
- Provide
feed. Animals need extra energy for body heat during
severe or prolonged cold weather, especially if they are
outside without shelter. Mechanical feeders will be inoperable
during a power failure. Provide for emergency feeding procedures.
Unplug
or turn off all electric equipment to prevent damage when
power is restored.
If you
use portable space heaters for supplemental heat, close off
the fuel valve as soon as possible after power is interrupted.
(On models not equipped with safety shut-offs, and especially
on some models with gravity feed fuel systems, fuel continues
to flow even when the burner is inoperative. An explosion
or fire could result when power is restored.)
- Request
that the dairy pick up milk as soon as possible.
- Consider
adding a standby power generator to handle vital electric
equipment.
Even
if you are short of extra milk storage facilities, do not
store milk in stock tanks or other containers. Dairy plants
may not accept milk that has been stored in anything other
than regular milk storage containers. Check with your local
dairy about policy regarding emergency storage of milk.
If you
are unable to cool your milk or have it picked up, check your
tank for souring each time you add milk to it. This check
could mean the difference between losing all or only part
of your milk supply.
Additional resources:
Your county agricultural agent
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
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