Livestock and flooding don't mix for Utah ranchers, dairymen

WARREN, Weber County — Sure cows can swim, as can horses, sheep and pigs. But if farmers and ranchers wait until their animals are treading water before developing a flood plan, they've waited too long.

The lack of individual contingency plans is something the Utah Department of Agriculture is concerned about as the flooding becomes a reality along northern Utah's rivers and low-lying agricultural land. Negative economic impacts along the lower Weber River alone are expected to top $90 million this year.

Assistant state veterinarian Warren Hess said he is surprised how many horse owners don't have a horse trailer, don't know anyone who has a trailer, and have horses that have never been moved in a trailer.

So what happens when flood waters rise and large animals need to be moved to safety while a bit of panic is in the air? "Now you've got the horse excited, and you have to move it anyway," Hess said.

That scenario is one of several the Utah Department of Agriculture had in mind as it drafted a warning to livestock owners, posted on its website, as the likelihood for flooding continues to rise. "Your potential threat for livestock is going to be great," he said. "The amount of agricultural land affected by flooding is going to be much, much greater" than threats to developed areas.

"Many people don't even consider transport as a factor," said veterinarian Chris Crnich, director of Agriculture, Homeland Security. "We saw that during the Herriman fire" this past September. "Being able to move animals quickly created a lot of concern."

Flooding threats to large-animal owners include the dangers of cold, swift moving water, animals' inability to see ground hazards if pastures are flooded, the increased likelihood flood waters have a higher number of parasites if animals drink it, and a problem getting feed to animals if flood waters isolate them.

Managing livestock-threatening hazards may be second nature to some handlers. "But we are all susceptible to the 'this can't happen to me' way of thinking," Crnich said.

Jim Wayment has been working the land and running cattle in west Weber County long enough to remember the problem areas during the infamous flooding year, 1983.

Driving around Warren, Wayment points out pasture lands that would be the first to flood and higher ground where he would drive 200 pair of heifers and calves if he has to. On Wednesday, he was replacing cutting blades on a massive hay cutting machine, or swather, in case he needs to quickly harvest alfalfa on some of his 600 acres if flood waters threaten.