Feeding livestock during and after a disaster

Feeding livestock during and after a disaster can present livestock owners and producers with a host of challenges. This is due, in part, to unfamiliar feeds that are donated or sourced from outside the region of the emergency. Having a basic understanding of the nutrient requirements of your animals and their digestive systems, as well as the characteristics of individual feeds, is the foundation on which to build an emergency feeding program. Feed analysis is the most effective way to accurately balance an animal’s diet, which may be of increased importance after a stressful event, such as a disaster. In addition, being able to effectively transition animals to unfamiliar feeds and identify potential toxicities will go a long way in keeping animals healthy during times of stress